The journal and essays of John Woolman

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

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A

JOURNAL

OF

THE LIFE,

GOSPEL LABOURS, AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES

OF THAT FAITHFUL

of iessuss Cfcrisst,
JOHN W O O L M A N,

LATE OF MOUNT HOLLY, IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW JERSEY,
NORTH AMERICA.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

II IS WORKS,

A NEW EDITION.

" The leorfr of righteousness shall be. peace ; and the effect of righteousness
quietness and assurance for ever." ISAIAH \xxiii. 17.

LONDON:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, GEORGE-YARD, LOMBARD-STREET.

1824.

TESTIMONY of Friends in Yorkshire, at their
Quarterly -meeting held at York, the ^Ath and
2bth of the third month, 1773, concerning JOHN
WOOLMAN, of Mount Holly, in the Province of
New Jersey, in America, who departed this life
at the hous? of our friend Thomas Priestman, in
the suburbs of this City, the 1th of the \0th month,
1772, and was interred in the burial-ground of
friends the 9th of the same, aged about fifty-two
years.

THIS our valuable friend, having been under a
religious engagement for some time, to visit friends
in this nation, and more especially us in the north
ern parts, undertook the same in full concurrence
and near sympathy with his friends and brethren at
home ; as appeared by certificates from the monthly
and quarterly meetings to which he belonged, and
from the spring meeting of ministers and elders,
held at Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New
Jersey.

He arrived in the city of London the beginning
of the last yearly meeting,, and after attending that
meeting, travelled northward,, visiting the quar
terly meetings of Hertfordshire,, Buckinghamshire,
Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Worcester
shire, and divers particular meetings in his way.

He visited many meetings on the west side of
this county, also some in Lancashire and West
moreland, from whence he came to our quarterly
meeting- in the last ninth month, and, though much
out of health, yet was enabled to attend all the
sittings of that meeting except the last.

His disorder then, which proved the small-pox,
increased speedily upon him, and was very afflict
ing ; under which he was supported in much meek
ness, patience, and Christian fortitude. To those
who attended him in his illness, his mind appeared
to be centered in divine love ; under the precious
influence whereof we believe he finished his course,
and entered into the mansions of everlasting rest

In the early part of his illness he requested a
friend to write, and he broke forth thus.

ff O Lord my God ! the amazing horrors of
darkness were gathered around me and covered me
all over, and I saw no way to go forth ; I felt the
misery of my fellow creatures separated from the
divine harmony, and it was heavier than I could
bear, and I was crushed down under it; I lifted
up my hand, and stretched out my arm, but there
was none to help me. I looked round about, and
was amazed : in the depth of misery, O Lord ! I
remembered that thou art omnipotent, that I had
called thee father, and I felt that I loved thee, and
I was made quiet in thy will, and I waited for
deliverance from thee ; thou hadst pity upon me,
when no man could help me ; I saw that meekness
under suffering was shewed to us in the most affect
ing example of thy Son, and thou wast teaching me

5

to follow him ; and I said, thy Will, O Father, be
done/

Many more of his weighty expressions might
have been inserted here ; I nit it was deemed un
necessary, they being already published in print.

He was a man endued with a large natural ca
pacity ; arid, being obedient to the manifestations
of Divine Grace, having in patience and humility
endured many deep baptisms, he became thereby
sanctified and fitted for the Lord s work, and was
truly serviceable in his Church. Dwelling in awful
fear and watchfulness, he was careful in his public
appearances to feel the putting forth of the Divine
Hand ; so that the spring of the gospel ministry
often flowed through him with great sweetness and
purity, as a refreshing stream to the weary travel
lers towards the city of God. Skilful in dividing
the word, he was furnished by Him in whom are
hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, to
communicate freely to the several states of the
people where his lot was cast. His conduct at
other times was seasoned with like watchful circum
spection and attention to the guidance of Divine
wisdom, which rendered his whole conversation
uniformly edifying.

He was fully persuaded that, as the life of Christ
comes to reign in the earth, all abuse and unne
cessary oppression, both of the human and brute
creation, will coins to an end ; but under the sense
of a deep revolt, and an overflowing stream of
unrighteousness, his life has been often a life of
mourning.

He was deeply concerned on account of that
inhuman and iniquitous practice of making slaves
of the people of Africa, or holding them in that
state ; and on that account, we understand he hath
not only written some books, but travelled much on
the continent of America, in order to make the
negro-masters (especially those in profession with
us) sensible of the evil of such a practice ; and,
though in this journey to England, he was far
removed from the outward sign of their sufferings,
yet his deep exercise of mind remained ; as appears
by a short treatise he wrote in this journey, and
frequent concern to open the miserable state of
this deeply injured people. His testimony in the
last meeting he attended was on this subject, where
in he remarked, that, as we as a society, when
under outward sufferings, had often fonnd it our
concern to lay them before those in authority, and
thereby, in the Lord s time, had obtained relief,
so he recommended this oppressed part of the cre
ation to our notice ; that we may, as way may
open, represent their sufferings in an individual, if
not a society capacity to those in authority.

Deeply sensible that the desire to gratify people s
inclinations in luxury and superfluities is the prin
cipal ground of oppression, arid the occasion of
many unnecessary wants, he believed it to be his
duty to be a pattern of great self-denial, with re
spect to the things of this life, and earnestly to
labour with friends in the meekness of wisdom, to
impress on their minds the great importance of our
testimony in these things, recommending to the

guidance of the blessed Truth in this and all other
concerns, and cautioning such as are experienced
therein, against contenting themselves with acting
up to the standard of others, but to be careful to
make the standard of Truth,, manifested to them, the
measure of their obedience. <f For/ said he, ee that
purity of life which proceeds from faithfulness in
following the Spirit of Truth, that state where our
minds are devoted to serve God, and all our wants
are bounded by his wisdom : this habitation has
often been opened before me as a place of retire
ment for the children of the light, where they may
stand separated from that which disordereth arid
confuseth the affairs of society, and where we have
a testimony of our innocence in the hearts of those
who behold us."

We conclude with fervent desires, that we as a
people may thus, by our example, promote the
Lord s work in the earth; and, our hearts being
prepared, may unite in prayer to the great Lord
of the harvest, that, as in his infinite wisdom he
hath greatly stripped the church, by removing of
late divers faithful ministers and elders, he may be
pleased to send forth many more faithful labourers
into his harvest.

A TESTIMONY of the Monthly Meeting of Friends,
held in Burlington, the first day of the eighth
month, in the year of our Lord, 1774, concerning
our esteemed friend, JOHN WOOL MAN, deceased.

HE was born in Northampton, in the county of
Burlington, and province of West New Jersey, in
the eighth month, 1720, of religious parents, who
instructed him very early in the principles of the
Christian religion, as professed by the people called
Quakers ; which he esteemed a blessing to him,
even in his younger years, tending to preserve him
from the infection of wicked children : but through
the workings of the enemy, and levity incident to
youth, he frequently deviated from those parental
precepts ; by which he laid a renewed foundation
for repentance, that was finally succeeded by a
godly sorrow not to be repented of; and so became
acquainted with that sanctifying power which qua
lifies for true gospel ministry, into which he was
called about the twenty-second year of his age ;
and, by a faithful use of the talents committed to
him, he experienced an increase, until he arrived
at the state of a father, capable of dividing the word
aright to the different states he ministered unto ;
dispensing milk to babes, and meat to those of

riper years. Thus he found the efficacy of that
power to arise,, which in his own expressions, "pre
pares the creature to stand like a trumpet through
which the Lord speaks to his people/ He was a
loving husband, a tender father, and very humane
to every part of the creation under his care.

His concern for the poor and those in affliction
was evident by his visits to them, whom he fre
quently relieved by his assistance and charity. He
was for many years deeply exercised on account of
the poor enslaved Africans, whose cause, as he some
times mentioned, lay almost continually upon him;
and to obtain liberty to those captives, belaboured
both in public and in private, and was favoured to
see his endeavours crowned with considerable suc
cess. He was particularly desirous that friends
should not be instrumental to lay burdens on this
oppressed people, but remember the days of suffer
ing from which they had been providentially deli
vered ; that, if times of trouble should return, no
injustice dealt to those in slavery might rise in judg
ment against us, but being clear, we might on such
occasions address the Almighty with a degree of
confidence for his interposition and relief; being
particularly careful as to himself, not to counte
nance slavery even by the use of those conveniences
of life which were furnished by their labour.

He was desirous to have his own, and the minds
of others, redeemed from the pleasures and immo
derate profits of this world, and to fix them on
those joys which fade not away ; his principal care
being after a life of purity, endeavouring to avoid

10

not only the grosser pollutions) but those also
which, appearing in a more refined dress, are not
sufficiently guarded against by some well-disposed
people. In the latter part of his life he was remark
able for the plainness and simplicity of his dress,
and as much as possible, avoided the use of plate,
costly furniture and feasting ; thereby endeavouring
to become an example of temperance and self-de
nial, which he believed himself called unto ; and
was favoured with peace therein, although it carried
the appearance of great austerity in the view of
some. He was very moderate in his charges in the
way of business, and in his desires after gain ; and,
though a man of industry, avoided, and strove much
to lead others out of extreme labour and anxious-
ness after perishable things ; being desirous that the
strength of our bodies might not be spent in pro
curing things unprofitable, and that we might use
moderation and kindness to the brute animals un
der our care, to prize the use of them as a great
favour, and by no means abuse them ; that the
gifts of Providence should be thankfully received
and applied to the uses they were designed for.

He several times opened a school at Mount
Holly, for the instruction of poor friends children
and others; being concerned for their help and

improvement therein. His love and care for the

rising youth among us was truly great, recommend
ing to parents and those who have the charge of
them, to chuse conscientious and pious tutors ; say
ing, " It is a lovely sight to behold innocent chil
dren/ and that, l< - to labour for their help against

II

that which would mar the beauty of their minds., is
a debt we owe them/

His ministry was sound, very deep and penetra
ting, sometimes pointing out the dangerous situation
which indulgence and custom lead into ; frequently
exhorting others, especially the youth, not to be
discouraged at the difficulties which occur, but to
press after purity. He often expressed an earnest
engagement that pure wisdom should be attended
to, which would lead into lowliness of mind and
resignation to the divine will, in which state small
possessions here would be sufficient.

In transacting the affairs of discipline, his judg
ment was sound and clear^. and he was very useful
in treating with those who had done amiss ; he vi
sited such in a private way in that plainness which
truth dictates, showing great tenderness and Chris
tian forbearance. He was a constant attender of
our yearly-meeting, in which he was a good exam
ple., and particularly useful ; assisting in the business
thereof with great weight and attention. He seve
ral times visited most of the meetings of friends in
this and the neighbouring provinces, with the con
currence of the monthly-meeting to which he be
longed, and we have reason to believe had good
service therein ; generally or always expressing at
his return how it had fared with him, and the evi
dence of peace in his rnind for thus performing his
duty. He was often concerned with other friends in
the important service of visiting families, which he
was enabled to go through to satisfaction.

In the minutes of the meeting of ministers and

12

elders for this quarter, at the foot of a Jist of the
members of that meeting, made about five years
before his death, we find in his hand-writing the
following observation and reflections. Cf As looking
over the minutes made by persons who have put off
this body, hath sometimes revived in me a thought
how ages pass away ; so this list may probably re
vive a like thought in some, when 1, and the rest of
the persons above-named,, are centered in another
state of being. The Lord, who was the guide of
my youth, hath in tender mercies helped me hi
therto ; he hath healed me of wounds, he hath help
ed me out of grievous entanglements ; he remains
to be the strength of my life ; to whom I desire to
devote myself in time, and in eternity."

(Signed,) JOHN WOOLMAN.

In the twelfth month, 1771, he acquainted this
meeting that he found his mind drawn towards a
religious visit to friends in some parts of England,
particularly in Yorkshire. In the first month, 1772,
he obtained our certificate, which was approved
and indorsed by our quarterly meeting, and by the
half year s meeting of ministers and elders at Phila
delphia. He embarked on his voyage in the fifth,
and arrived in London in the sixth month follow
ing, at the time of their annual meeting in that
city. During his short visit to friends in that king
dom, we are informed that his services were accept
able and edifying In his last illness he uttered
many lively and comfortable expressions, being,
f. perfectly resigned, having no will cither to live or

13

die/* as appears by the testimony of friends at York
in Great Britain, in the suburbs whereof, at the house
of our friend T homas Priestman, he died of the small
pox, on the seventh day of the tenth month, 1772,
and was buried in friends burial ground in that city,
on the ninth of the same, after a solid meeting, held
on the occasion, at their great meeting-house, He
was aged near fifty-two, a minister upwards of
thirty years, during which time he belonged to
Mount Holly particular meeting, which he diligently
attended when at home and in health of body, and
his labours of love and pious care for the prosperity
of friends in the blesssed Truth, we hope, may not
be forgotten, but that his good works may be re
membered to edification.

Signed in, and by order of the said meeting, by

SAMUEL ALLISON, Clerk.

Read and approved at our quarterly-meeting, held
at Burlington, the 29th of the 8th month, 1774.

Signed by order of said meeting,

DANIEL SMITH, Clerk.

A

JOURNAL <

OF THE

LIFE AND TRAVELS

OF

JOHN WOOLMAN,

IN THE SERVICE OF THE GOSPEL.

CHAP. I.

His birth and parentage, with some account of the
operations of divine grace on his mind in his youth
His first appearance in the ministry and his
considerations, white young, on the keeping of
slaves.

I HAVE often felt a motion of love to leave some
hints in writing of my experience of the goodness of
God ; and now, in the thirty-sixth year of my age,
I begin this work.

I was born in Northampton, in Burlington coun
ty, West Jersey, in the year 1720; and before I
was seven years old I began to be acquainted with
the operations of divine love. Through the care of

1C

my parents, I was taught to read near as soon as I
was capable of it ; and as I went from school one
seventh day, I remember, while my companions
went to play by the way, I went forward out of
sight, and sitting down I read the 22nd chapter of
the Revelations. " He showed me a pure river of
water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the
throne of God and of the Lamb, &c." and in reading-
it, my mind was drawn to seek after that pure habi
tation, which, I then believed, God had prepared for
his servants. The place where I sat, and the sweet
ness that attended my mind, remains fresh in my
memory.

This, and the like gracious visitations, had that
effect upon me, that when boys used ill language, it
troubled me ; and, through the continued mercies of
God, I was preserved from if.

The pious instructions of my parents were often
fresh in my mind when 1 happened to be among
wicked children, and were of use to me. My pa
rents, having a large family of children, used fre
quently, on first-days after meeting, to put us to
read in the holy scriptures, or some religious books,
one after another, the rest sitting by without much
conversation ; which, I have since often thought,
was a good practice. From what I had read and
heard, I believed there had been, in past ages, peo
ple who walked in uprightness before God, in a de
gree exceeding any that I knew or heard of, now
living : and the apprehension of there being less
steadiness and firmness amongst people in this age
than in past ages, often troubled me while I was a
child.

/ 17

Jr* tiling remarkable in my childhood was, that
/ once going to a neighbour s house,, 1 saw on the
/ \vay a robin sitting on her nest, and as I came
near she went off, but having young ones,, flew
about, and with many cries expressed her concern
for them ; I stood and threw stones at her, until
one striking her, she fell down dead. At first I was
pleased with the exploit, but after a few minutes was
seized with horror, as having, in a sportive way,
killed an innocent creature while she was careful for
her young. 1 beheld her lying dead, and thought
those young ones, for which she was so careful,
must now perish for want of their dam to nourish
them ; and after some painful considerations on
the subject, I climbed up the tree, took ail the
young birds, and killed them ; supposing that bet
ter than to leave them to pine away and die mise
rably : arid believed, in this case, that scripture
proverb was ful filled, fc The tender mercies of the
wicked are cruel." I then went on my errand, but,
for some hours, could think of little else but the
cruelties I had committed, and was much troubled.
Thus He, whose tender mercies are over all his

*"*,, MW ,,^:n.t,f"- x-~ - " ^^ ~ ^:*>l*U->- nw:*^<^

works, hath placed a principle in the human mind,

- f*.*-,.*^-- JU-.^.****^ Jfc^K-w* ******** ,* .MPII I. IM (MM

which incites to exercise goodness towards ever^,

*ta w>VH viMf* M iM*MMMaM|Mq*MM***l ^^ . .

living creature; and this being singly attende44^
jM>ople become tender-hearted and sympathizing
but EeThffTrequenTT^^ reiect.qdJPKe mind

^^A^.^^^.^.^^^i^^ - . . " ta*a

becomes shut up in a contrary disposition.

About tE e Twelftri ^eair^oT^Sfiy age, my fathe
being abroad, my mother reproved me for some
misconduct, to which I made an undutiful reply ;

B

18

and the next first clay, as I was with my father re
turning from meeting, he told me he understood I
had behaved amiss to my mother, and advised me
to be more careful in future. I knew myself blame-
able, and in shame and confusion remained silent.
Being thus awakened to a sense of my wickedness,
I felt remorse in my mind, and getting home I re
tired and prayed to the Lord to forgive me ; and
do not remember that I ever, after that, spoke
unhandsomely to either of my parents, however
foolish in some other things.

Having attained the age of sixteen years, I began
to love wanton company; and though I was pre
served from profane language, or scandalous con
duct, still I perceived a plant in me which produced
much wild grapes : yet my merciful Father forsook
me not utterly, but at times, through his grace, I
was brought seriously to consider my ways ; and the
sight of my backslidings affected me with sorrow ;
but for want of rightly attending to the reproofs of
instruction, vanity was added to vanity, and repent
ance to repentance. Upon the whole, my mind was
more and more alienated from the truth, and I has
tened toward destruction. While I meditate on the
gulf towards which I travelled, and reflect on my
youthful disobedience, for these things I weep, mine
eye runneth down with water.

Advancing in age, the number of my acquaint
ance increased, and thereby my way grew more dif
ficult. Though I had found comfort in reading the
holy scriptures, and thinking on heavenly things, I
was now estranged therefrom : I knew I was going

19

from the flock of Christ, and had no resolution to
return ; hence serious reflections were uneasy to
me, and youthful vanities and diversions my great
est pleasure. Running in this road I found many
like myself; and we associated in that which is re
verse to true friendship.

But in this swift race it pleased God to visit me
with sickness, so that I doubted of recovering; and
then did darkness, horror, and amazement, with full
force, seize me, even when my pain and distress of
body were very great. I thought it would have
been better for me never to have had a being, than
to see the day which I now saw. I was filled
with confusion ; and in great affliction, both of
mind and body, I lay and bewailed myself. I had
not confidence to lift up my cries to God, whom I
had thus offended ; but, in a deep sense of my great
folly, I was humbled before him. At length, that
word which is as a fire and a hammer, broke and
dissolved my rebellious heart, and then my cries
were put up in contrition ; and in the multitude of
his mercies I found inward relief, and felt a close
engagement, that if he was pleased to restore my
health, I might walk humbly before him.

After my recovery, this exercise remained with
me a considerable time ; but, by degrees, giving
way to youthful vanities, they gained strength, and
getting with wanton young people, I lost ground.
The Lord had been very gracious, and spoke peace
to me in the time of my distress ; and I now most
ungratefully turned again to folly ; on which ac
count, at times, I felt sharp reproof, but I did not

B2

20

get low enough to cry for help, I was not. so hardy
as to commit things scandalous ; but to exceed in
vanity,, and to promote mirth, was my chief study.
Still I retained a love and esteem for pious people ;
and their company brought an awe upon me. My
dear parents several times admonished me in the
fear of the Lord, and their admonition entered into
my heart, and had a good effect for a season ; but
not getting deep enough to pray rightly, the
tempter, when he came, found entrance. I remem
ber, once having spent a part of the day in wanton
ness ; as Iwent to bed at night there lay in a window,
near my bed, a bible, which I opened, and first cast
my eye on the text, " We lie down in our shame,
and our confusion covers us ;" this I knew to be
my case : and meeting with so unexpected a re
proof, I was somewhat affected with it, and went to
bed under remorse of conscience ; which I soon cast
off again.

Thus time past on ; my heart was replenished
with mirth and wantonness, while pleasing scenes
of vanity were presented to my imagination, till I
attained the age of eighteen years ; near which time
I felt the judgments of God, in my soul, like a con
suming tire; and looking over my past life, the
prospect was moving I was often sad, and lunged
to be delivered from those vanities ; then again, my
heart was strongly inclined to them, and there was
in me a sore conflict. At times I turned to folly ;
and then again, sorrow and confusion took hold of
me. In a while I resolved totally to leave off some
of my vanities; but there was a secret reserve in

21

my heart, of the more refined part of them, and I
was not low enough to find true peace. Thus, for
some months,, I had "Teat troubles ; there remain
ing in me an unsu! jected will, which rendered my
labours fruitless., till at length, through the merciful
continuance of heavenly visitations, I was made to
bow down in spirit before the Lord. 1 remember
one evening I had spent some time in reading a pious
author ; and walking out alone, I humbly prayed
to the Lord for his help, that I might be delivered
from all those vanities which so ensnared me. Thus
being brought low, he helped me ; and as I learned
to bear the cross, I felt refreshment to come from
his presence ; but not keeping in that strength
which gave victory, I lost ground again ; the sense
of which greatly affected me : and I sought deserts
and lonely places, and there with tears did con
fess my sins to God, and humbly craved help of
him. And I may say with reverence, he was near
to me in my troubles, and in those times of humi
liation opened my ear to discipline. 1 was now led
to look seriously at the means by which I was
drawn from the pure truth, and learned this, that if ;
1 would live in the life which the faithful servants
of God lived in, I must not go into company as I
heretofore in my own will ; but all the cravings of f
sense must be governed by a divine principle. In \
times of sorrow and abasement these instructions
were sealed upon me, and I felt the power of
Christ prevail over selfish desires, so that I was
preserved in a good degree of steadiness; arid be
ing young, and believing, at that time, that a single

life was best for me, I was strengthened to keep
from such company as had often been a snare to me.

I kept steadily to meetings ; spent first days af
ternoon chiefly in reading the scriptures and other
good books ; and was early convinced in my mind,,
that true religion consisted in an inward life, where
in the heart doth love and reverence God the Crea
tor, and learns to exercise true justice and good
ness, not only toward all men, but also toward the
brute creatures that as the mind was moved, by
an inward principle, to love God as an invisible, in
comprehensible Being ; by the same principle it
was moved to love him in all his manifestations in
the visible world thai, as by his breath, the flame
of life was kindled in all animal sensible creatures,
to say we love God as unseen, and at the same time
exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving
by his life, or by life derived from him, was a con
tradiction in itself.

I found no narrowness respecting sects and opi
nions ; but believed, that sincere upright hearted
people, in every society, who truly love God, were
accepted of him.

As I lived under the cross, and simply followed
the openings of truth, my mind, from day to day,
was more enlightened ; my former acquaintance
were left to judge of me as they would, for I found
it safest for me to live in private, and keep these
things sealed up in my own breast. While I silently
ponder on that change wrought in me, I find no lan
guage equal to it, nor any means to convey to an
other a clear idea of it. I looked upon the works of

23

God in this visible creation, and an aw fulness co
vered me. My heart was tender and often contrite,,
and universal love to rny fellow-creatures increased
in me; this will be understood by such who have
trodden in the same path. Some glances of real
beauty may be seen in their faces,, who dwell in true
meekness.

There is a harmony in the sound of that voice to
which divine love gives utterance,, and some appear
ance of right order in their temper and conduct,,
whose passions are regulated ; yet all these do not
fully shew forth that inward life to such who have
not felt it ; but this white stone and new name is
known rightly to such only who have it.

Now., though 1 had been thus strengthened to
bear the cross, I still found myself in great danger,,
having many weaknesses attending me, and strong
temptations to wrestle with ; in the feeling whereof
I frequently withdrew into private places, and often
with tears besought the Lord to help me., whose
gracious ear was open to my cry.

All this time I lived with my parents, and wrought
on the plantation ; and having had schooling pretty
well for a planter, 1 used to improve it in winter
evenings, and other leisure times ; and being now
in the twenty-first year of my age, a man, in much
business at shop-keeping and baking, asked me, if
I would hire with him to tend shop and keep
books. I acquainted my father with the proposal ;
and, after some deliberation, it was agreed for me
logo.

At home I had lived retired ; and now having a

prospect of being much in the way of company, I
felt frequent and fervent cries in my heart to God,
the Father of mercies, that he would preserve ine
from all taint and corruption ; that, in this more
public employment, I might serve Him, my gra
cious Redeemer, in that humility and self-denial,
with which I had been, in a small degree, exercised
in a more private life. The man, who employed
me, furnished a shop in Mount Holly, about five
miles from my father s house, and six from his own ;
and there I lived alone and tended his shop. Short
ly after my settlement here, I was visited by several
young people my former acquaintance, who knew
not but vanities would be as agreeable to me now
as ever ; and, at these times, 1 cried to the Lord in
secret for wisdom and strength ; for I felt myself
encompassed with difficulties, and had fresh occa
sion to bewail the follies of time past, in contract
ing a familiarity with libertine people : and as I
had now left my father s house outwardly, I found
my heavenly Father to be merciful to me beyond
what I can express.

By day I was much amongst people, and had
many trials to go .through ; but in the evenings, I
was mostly alone, and may with thankfulness ac
knowledge, that in those times the spirit of suppli
cation was often poured upon me ; under which I
was frequently exercised, and felt my strength
renewed.

In a few months after I came here, my master
bought several Scotchmen servants, from on board

25

a vessel, and brought them to Mount Holly to sell ;
one of whom was taken sick and died.

In the latter] part of his sickness, he, being deli
rious., used to curse and swear most sorrowfully ;
and the next night after his burial, I was left to
sleep alone in the same chamber where he died.
I perceived in me a tirnorousness ; I knew, however,
I had not injured the man, but assisted in taking
care of him according to my capacity ; and was not
free to ask any one, on that occasion, to sleep with
me. Nature was feeble ; but every trial was a fresh
incitement to give myself up wholly to the service
of God, for I found no helper like him in times of
trouble.

After a while, my former acquaintance gave over
expecting me as one of their company ; and I be
wail to be known to some whose conversation was

o

helpful to me. And now, as I had experienced the
love of God, through Jesus Christ, to redeem me
from many pollutions, and to be a succour to ine
through a sea of conflicts, with which no person was
fully acquainted ; and as my heart was often en
larged in this heavenly principle, I felt a tender
compassion for the youth, who remained entangled
in snares like those which had entangled me, from
one time to another, This love and tenderness in
creased ; and my mind was more strongly engaged
for the good of my fellow-creatures. 1 went to
meetings in an awful frame of mind, and endea
voured to be inwardly acquainted with the language
of the true Shepherd ; and one day being under a
strong exercise of spirit, 1 stood up, and aid some

words in a meeting ; but not keeping close to the
divine opening, I said more than was required of
me ; and being soon sensible of rny error, I was
afflicted in mind some weeks, without any light
or comfort, even to that degree that I could not
take satisfaction in any thing. I remembered God,
and was troubled ; and, in the depth of my distress,
he had pity upon me, and sent the Comforter. I
then felt forgiveness for my offence, and my mind
became calm and quiet, being truly thankful to
my gracious Redeemer for his mercies ; and after
this,, feeling the spring of divine love opened, and
a concern to speak, I said a few words in a meet
ing, in which I found peace. This, I believe, was
about six weeks from the first time : and as 1 was
thus humbled and disciplined under the cross, rny
understanding became more strengthened to distin
guish the pure spirit which inwardly moves upon
the heart, and taught me to wait in silence some
times many weeks together, until I felt that rise
which prepares the creature to stand like a trumpet
through which the Lord speaks to his flock.

From an inward purifying, and stedfast abiding
under it, springs a lively operative desire for the
good of others. All the faithful are not called to
the public ministry ; but whoever are, are called to
minister of that which they have tasted and han
dled spiritually. The outward modes of worship
are various ; but wherever any are true ministers
of Jesus Christ, it is from the operation of his spirit
upon their hearts, first purifying them, and thus
giving them a just sense of the conditions of others.

27

This truth was early fixed in my mind ; and I
was taught to watch the pure opening, and to take
heed, lest, while I was standing to speak, my own
will should get uppermost, and cause me to utter
words from worldly wisdom, and depart from the
channel of the true gospel ministry. In the ma
nagement of my outward affairs, I may say with
thankfulness, I found truth to be rny support ; and
I was respected in my master s family, who came
to live in Mount Holly within two years after my
going there.

About the twenty-third year of my age, I had
many fresh and heavenly openings, in respect to the
care and providence of the Almighty over his crea
tures in general, and over man as the most noble
amongst those which are visible. And being clear-

o o

ly convinced in my judgment, that to place my
whole trust in God was best for me, I felt renewed
engagements, that in all things I might act on an
inward principle of virtue, and pursue worldly
business no further, than as truth opened my way
therein.

About the time called Christmas, I observed
many people from the country, and dwellers in
town, who, resorting to public-houses, spent their
time in drinking and vain sports, tending to cor
rupt one another ; on which account I was much
troubled. At one house in particular there was
much disorder ; and I believed it was a duty incum
bent on me to go and speak to the master of that
house. I considered 1 was young, and that several
elderly friends in town had opportunity to see these

28

things ; but though 1 would gladly have been ex
cused, yet I could not feel my mind clear.

The exercise was heavy ; and as I was reading
what the Almighty said to Ezekiel, respecting his
duty as a watchman,, the matter was set home more
clearly ; and then with prayers and tears, I besought
the Lord for his assistance, who in loving-kindness,
gave me a resigned heart. Then, at a suitable op
portunity, I went to the public-house ; and seeing
the man amongst much company, I went to him,
and told him, I wanted to speak with him ; so we
went aside, and there, in the fear and dread of the
Almighty, I expressed to him what rested on my
mind ; which he took kindly, and afterward shewed
more regard to me than before. In a few years
afterwards, he died, middle-aged ; and I often
thought, that had I neglected my duty in that case,
it would have given me great trouble ; and I was
humbly thankful to my gracious Father, who had
supported me herein.

My employer having a negro woman, sold her,
and desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being
waiting who bought her. The thing was sudden ;
and though the thoughts of writing an instrument
of slavery for one of my fellow-creatures felt uneasy,
yet I remembered I was hired by the year, that it
was my master who directed me to do it, and that
it was an elderly man, a member of our society,
who bought her; so, through weakness, I gave
way, and wrote it ; but, at the executing it, I was
so afflicted in my mind, that I said, before my mas-

29

ter and the friend,, that I believed slave- keeping to
be a practice inconsistent with the Christian reli
gion. This, in some degree,, abated my uneasiness ;
yet as often as 1 reflected seriously upon it, I
thought I should have been clearer,, if I had desired
to be excused from it, as a thing against my con
science ; for such it was. And some time after this,
a young man, of our society, spoke to me to write
a conveyance of a slave to him ; he having lately
taken a negro into his house. I told him, I was not
easy to write it ; for, though many of our meeting
and in other places kept slaves, I still believed the
practice was not right ; and desired to be excused
from the writing. I spoke to him in good will ;
and he told me, that keeping slaves was not alto
gether agreeable to his mind ; but that the slave
being a gift made to his wife, he had accepted of
her.

CHAP. II.

His first journey, on a religious visit, into East
Jersey, in company with Abraham Farrington.
His thoughts on merchandizing, and his learning
a trade. His second journey, with Isaac Andrews
into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and
North Carolina. His third journey with Peter
Andrews, through part of the West and East
Jersey. Some account of his sister Elizabeth, and
her death. His fourth journey with Peter An
drews, through New York and Long Island, to
New England. And his Jifth journey, with John
Sykes, to the Eastern shore of Maryland, and the
lower Counties on Delaware.

MY esteemed friend Abraham Farrington, being
about to make a visit to friends on the eastern side
of this province,, and having no companion he pro
posed to me to go with him ; and after a conference
with some elderly friends, I agreed to go. So we set
out the fifth day of the ninth month, in the year
1743; had an evening meeting at a tavern in
Brunswick, a town in which none of our society
dwelt ; the room was full, and the people quiet.
Thence to Amboy, and had an evening meeting in
the court-house ; to which came many people,
amongst whom were several members of assembly,
they being in town on the public affairs of the pro
vince. In both these meetings my ancient com-

31

panion was enlarged to preach,, in the love of the
gospel. Thence we went to Woodbridge, Raway,
and Plainfield ; and had six or seven meetings in
places where friends meetings are not usually held.,
being made up chiefly of Presbyterians,, arid rny
beloved companion was frequently strengthened
to publish the word of life amongst them. As for
me,, I was often silent through the meetings ; and
when I spake, it was with much care, that I might
speak only what truth opened; my mind was often
tender, and I learned some profitable lessons. We
were out about two weeks.

Near this time,, being on some outward business
in which several families were concerned, and
which was attended with difficulties, some things
relating thereto not being clearly stated, nor rightly
understood by all, there arose some heat in the
minds of the parties, and one valuable friend got off
his watch. I had a great regard for him, and felt a
strong inclination, after matters were settled, to
speak to him concerning his conduct in that case;
but I being a youth, and he far advanced in age
and experience, my way appeared difficult ; but
after some days deliberation, and inward seeking to
the Lord for assistance, I was made subject; so that
I exprest what lay upon me, in a way which be
came my youth and his years ; and though it w as a
hard task to me, it was well taken, and, I believe,
was useful to us both.

Having now been several years with my em
ployer, and he doing less at merchandize than
heretofore, I was thoughtful of some other way of

32

business ; perceiving merchandize to be attended
with much cumber in the way of trading- in these
parts.

My mind through the power of truth, was in a
good degree weaned from the desire of outward
greatness, and I was learning to be content with
real conveniences, that were not costly ; so that a
way of life, free from much entanglements, appeared
best for me, though the income might be small. I
had several offers of business that appeared profit
able, but did not see my way clear to accept of
them ; as believing the business proposed would be
attended with more outward care and cumber than
was required of me to engage in.

I saw that an humble man, with the blessing of
the Lord, might live on a little ; and that where
the heart was set on greatness, success in business
did not satisfy the craving ; but that commonly
with an increase of wealth, the desire of wealth in
creased. There was a care on my mind so to pass
my time, that nothing might hinder me from the
most steady attention to the voice of the true Shep
herd.

My employer, though now a retailer of goods,
was by trade a taylor, and kept a servant man at
that business; and I began to think about learning
the trade, expecting, that if I should settle, I might,
by this trade, and a little retailing of goods, get a
living in a plain way, without the load of great
business. 1 mentioned it to my employer, and we
soon agreed on terms; and then when I had leisure
from the affairs of merchandize, I worked with his

33

man. I believed the hand of Providence pointed
out this business for me ; and was taught to be con
tent with it, though I felt at times, a disposition that
would have sought for something greater; but,
through the revelation of Jesus Christ,, I had seen
the happiness of humility, and there was an earnest
desire in me to enter deep into it; and at times
this desire arose to a degree of fervent supplication,
wherein my soul was so environed with heavenly
light and consolation, that things were made easy
to me which had been otherwise.

After some time, my employer s wife died ; she
was a virtuous woman, and generally beloved of
her neighbours : and soon after this, he left shop -
keeping; and we parted. I then wrought at my
trade, as a tailor ; carefully attended meetings for
worship and discipline ; and found an enlargement
of gospel love in my mind, and therein a concern
to visit friends in some of the back settlements of
Pennsylvania and Virginia ; and being thoughtful
about a companion, I expressed it to my beloved
friend Isaac Andrews, who then told me that he
had drawings to the same places ; and also to go
through Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. After
considerable time past, and several conferences
with him, I felt easy to accompany him throughout;
if way opened for it. I opened the case in our
monthly-meeting, and friends expressing their
unity therewith, we obtained certificates to travel
as companions ; his from Haddonfield, and mine
from Burlington.

We left our province on the twelfth day of the

c

Si

third month, in the year 1746, and had several
meetings in the upper part of Chester county, and
near Lancaster ; in some of which the love of Christ
prevailed, uniting us together in his service. Then
we crossed the river Susquehannah, and had several
meetings in a new settlement, called the Red
Lands ;. the oldest of which, as I was informed, did
not exceed ten years. It is the poorer sort of people
that commonly begin to improve remote deserts :
with a small stock they have houses to build, lands
to clear and fence, corn to raise, clothes to pro
vide, and children to educate ; that friends, who
visit such, may well sympathise with them in their
hardships in the wilderness ; and though the best
entertainment that such can give, may seem coarse
to some who are used to cities, or old settled
places, it becomes the disciples of Christ to be
content with it. Our hearts were sometimes en
larged in the love of our heavenly Father amongst
these people ; and the sweet influence of his spirit
supported us through some difficulties : to Him be
the praise.

We passed on to Manoquacy, Fairfax, Hopewell,
and Shanando, and had meetings ; some of which
were comfortable and edifying. From Shanando
we set off in the afternoon for the old settlements
of friends in Virginia ; and the first night we, with
our guide, lodged in the woods; our horses feeding
near us; but he being poorly provided with a horse,
and we young, and having good horses, were free
the next day to part with him ; and did so. In
two days after,, we reached our friend John

35

Cheagle s, in Virginia; so we took the meetings in
our way through Virginia ; were in some degree,,
baptized into a feeling sense of the conditions of
the people ; and our exercise in general was more
painful in these old settlements, than it had been
amongst the back inhabitants : but through the
goodness of our heavenly Father, the well of living
waters was., at times,, opened to our encouragement,
and the refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We
went on to Perquimons, in North Carolina ; had
several meetings, which were large ; and found
some openness in those parts,, and a hopeful ap
pearance amongst the young people. So we turned
again to Virginia, and attended most of the meet
ings which we had not been at before, labouring
amongst friends in the love of Jesus Christ,, as
ability was given : and thence went to the moun
tains, up James s river to a new settlement ; and
had several meetings amongst the people, some of
whom had lately joined in membership with our
society.

In our journeying to and fro, we found some ho
nest-hearted friends, who appeared to be concerned
for the cause of truth among a backsliding people.

From Virginia, we crossed over the river Pato-
mac, at Hoe s ferry, and made a general visit to
the meetings of friends on the western shore of
Maryland; and were at their quarterly meeting.
We had some hard labour amongst them, endea
vouring to discharge our duty honestly as way
opened, in the love of truth : and thence taking
sundry meetings in our way, we passed homewards;

36

where, through the favour of Divine Providence, we
reached the sixteenth day of the sixth month, in
the year 1746; and I may say, that through the
assistance of the Holy Spirit, which mortifies
seltish desires, my companion and I travelled in
harmony, and parted in the nearness of true bro
therly love.

Two things were remarkable to me in this jour
ney: First, in regard to my entertainment ; when I
ate, drank, and lodged free-cost with people, who
lived in ease on the hard labour of their slaves, I
felt uneasy ; and as my mind was inward to the
Lord, I found, from place to place, this uneasiness
return upon me, at times, through the whole visit.
Where the masters bore a good share of the bur
then, and lived frugally, so that their servants were
well provided for, and their labour moderate, I felt
more easy ; but where they lived in a costly way,
and laid heavy burthens on their slaves, my exer
cise was often great, and I frequently had conver
sation with them, in private, concerning it. Se
condly : this trade of importing slaves from their
native country being much encouraged amongst
them, and the white people arid their children so
generally living without much labour, was fre
quently the subject of my serious thoughts. And I
saw in these southern provinces so many vices and
corruptions, increased by this trade and this way of
life, that it appeared to me as a dark gloominess
hanging over the land ; and though now many
willingly run into it, yet in future the consequence
will be grievous to posterity; 1 express it as it hath

37

appeared to mo, not at once, nor twice,, but as a
matter fixed on my mind.

Soon after my return home, I felt an increas
ing concern for friends on our sea-coast ; and on
the eighth day of the eighth month, in the year
1746, with the unity of friends, and in company
with my beloved friend and neighbour Peter An
drews, brother to my companion before-mentioned,
\ve set forward and visited meetings generally about
Salem, Cape May, Great and Little Egg Harbour ;
and had meetings at Barnagat, Manahockin, and
Mane Squan, and so to the yearly meeting at
Shrewsbury. Through the goodness of the Lord
way was opened, and the strength of divine love
was sometimes felt in our assemblies, to the com
fort and help of those who were rightly concerned
before Him. We were out twenty-two days, and
rode, by computation, three hundred and forty
miles. At Shrewsbury yearly meeting, we met
with our dear friends Michael Lightfoot and Abra
ham Farrington, who had good service there.

The winter following died my eldest sister,
Elizabeth Wool man, jun. of the srnall-pox, aged
thirty-one years. She was, from her youth, of a
thoughtful disposition ; and very compassionate to
her acquaintance in their sickness or distress, being
ready to help as far as she could. She was dutiful
to her parents ; one instance whereof follows : r
It happened that she, and two of her sisters, being
then near the estate of young women, had an in
clination one first-day after meeting to go on a visit
to some other young women at some distance off,

38

whose company, I believe, would have done them
no good . They expressed their desire to our parents,
who were dissatisfied with the proposal, and stopped
them. The same day, as my sisters and I were
together, and they talking about their disappoint
ment, Elizabeth expressed her contentment under
it, signifying she believed it might be for their
good.

A few years after she attained to mature age,
through the gracious visitations of God s love, she
was strengthened to live a self-denying exemplary
life, giving herself much to reading and meditation.

The following letter may show, in some degree,
her disposition :

Haddonfidd, Ist-day, llth month^ 1743.

Beloved brother John Woolman,

In that love which desires the welfare of all men,
I write unto thee. I received thine, dated second-
day of the tenth month last, with which I was com
forted. My spirit is bowed with thankfulness that
I should be remembered, who am unworthy ; but
the Lord is full of mercy, and his goodness is ex
tended to the meanest of his creation ; therefore,
in his infinite love, he hath pitied and spared and
showed mercy, that I have not been cut off nor
quite lost; but, at times, I am refreshed and com
forted as with the glimpse of his presence, which
is more to the immortal part, than all which this
world can afford : so, with desires for thy preser
vation with my own, I remain

thy affectionate sister,

ELIZ. WOOLMAN, jun.

39

The fore part of her illness she was in great sad
ness and dejection of mind, of which she told one
of her intimate friends,, and said,, when 1 was a
young girl I was wanton and airy,, but I thought I
had thoroughly repented for it ; and added,, I have
of late had great satisfaction in meetings. Though
she was thus disconsolate,, still she retained a hope,,
which was as an anchor to her : and some time after,
the same friend came again to see her, to whom she
mentioned her former expressions,, and said, " It is
otherwise now, for the Lord hath rewarded me
seven-fold ; and I am unable to express the great
ness of his love manifested to me/ Her disorder
appearing dangerous, and our mother being sor
rowful, she took notice of it, and said, Dear mo
ther, weep not for me ; I go to my God :" and many
times, with an audible voice, uttered praise to her
Redeemer.

A friend coming some miles to see her the morn*-
ing before she died, asked her how s^ie did ? she
answered " I have had a hard night, but shall not
have another such, for I shall die, and it will be
well with my soul ; )a and accordingly died the next
evening.

The following ejaculations were found amongst
her writings ; written, I believe, at four times.

1. Oh! that my head were as waters, and mine
eyes as a fountain of tears, that I might weep day
and night, until acquainted with my God.

2. O Lord, that I may enjoy thy presence ; or
else my time is lost, and my life a snare to my
soul

40

3. O Lord, that I may receive bread from thy
table, and that thy grace may abound in me.

4. O Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy
presence, that I may be seasoned with thy salt, that
thy grace may abound in me.

Of late I found drawings in my mind to visit
friends in New England, and having an opportunity
of joining in company with my beloved friend Peter
Andrews; we, having obtained certificates from our
monthly meeting, set forward on the sixteenth day
of the third month, in the year 1747, and reached
the yearly meeting at Long Island ; at which were
our friends Samuel Nottingham from England,
John Griffith, Jane Hoskins, and Elizabeth Hudson
from Pennsylvania, and Jacob Andrews from Ches
terfield. Several of whom were favoured in their
public exercise ; and, through the goodness of the
Lord, we had some edifying meetings. After this,
my companion and I visited friends on Long-
Island ; and, through the mercies of God, we were
helped in the work.

Besides going to the settled meetings of friends,
\ve were at a general meeting at Setawket, chiefly
made up of other societies : and had a meeting at
Oyster Bay, in a dwelling-house, at which were
many people ; at the first of which there was not
much said by way of testimony, but it was, I believe,
a good meeting : at the latter, through the spring
ing up of living waters, it was a day to be thank
fully remembered. Having visited the island, we
went over to the main, taking meetings in our way,
to Oblong, Nine-partners, and New Milford. In

41

these back settlements we met with several people,
who,, through the immediate workings of the spirit
of Christ on their minds, were drawn from the
vanities of the world, to an inward acquaintance
with him : they were educated in the way of the
Presbyterians. A considerable number of the
youth, members of that society, were used to spend
their time often together in merriment, but some of
the principal young men of that company being
visited by the powerful workings of the spirit of
Christ, and thereby led humbly to take up his cross,
could no longer join in those vanities; and as these
stood stedfast to that inward convin cement, they
were made a blessing to some of their former com
panions ; so that, through the power of truth, se
veral were brought into a close exercise concern
ing the eternal well-being of their souls. These
young people continued for a time to frequent their
public worship ; and besides that, had meetings of
their own ; which meetings were a while allowed by
their preacher, who sometimes met with them : but,
in time, their judgment in matters of religion dis
agreeing with some of the articles of the Presby
terians, their meetings were disapproved by that
society ; and such of them who stood firm to their
duty, as it was inwardly manifested, had many
difficulties to go through : and their meetings were
in a while dropped ; some of them returning to the
Presbyterians, and others of them, after a time,
joined to our religious society.

I had conversation with some of the latter, to my
help and edification; and believe several of them

42

are acquainted with the nature of that worship,
which is performed in spirit and in truth. From
hence accompanied by Amos Powel, a friend from
Long Island, we rode through Connecticut,, chiefly
inhabited by Presbyterians ; who were generally
civil to us, so far as I saw : and after three days
riding, we came amongst friends in the colony of
Rhode Island. We visited friends in and about
Newport and Dartmouth, and generally in those
parts ; and then to Boston ; and proceeded east
ward as far as Dover ; and then returned to New
port, and not far from thence, we met our friend
Thomas Gawthorp from England ; who was then
on a visit to these provinces. From Newport we
sailed to Nantucket ; were there near a week ; and
from thence came over to Dartmouth : and having
finished our visit in these parts, we crossed the
Sound from New London to Long Island ; and
taking some meetings on the island, proceeded
homeward ; where we reached the thirteenth day
of the seventh month, in the year 1747, having rode
about fifteen hundred miles, and sailed about one
hundred and fifty.

In this journey, I may say in general, we were
sometimes in much weakness, and laboured under
discouragements ; and at other times, through the
renewed manifestations of divine love, we had sea
sons of refreshment, wherein the power of truth
prevailed.

We were taught, by renewed experience, to
labour for an inward stillness : at no time to seek
for \yords, but to live in the spirit of truth, and utter

43

that to the people which truth opened in us. My
beloved companion and I belonged both to one
meeting, came forth in the ministry near the same
time, and were inwardly united in the work. He
was about thirteen years older than I,, bore the
heaviest burthen, and was an instrument of the
greatest use.

Finding a concern to visit friends in the lower
counties of Delaware, and on the eastern shore of
Maryland, and having an opportunity to join with
my well-beloved ancient friend John Sykes, we ob
tained certificates, and set off the seventh day of the
eighth month, in the year 1748, were at the meet
ings of friends in the lower counties, attended the
yearly meeting at Little Creek, and made a visit to
most of the meetings on the eastern shore ; and so
home by the way of Nottingham : were abroad
about six weeks ; and rode, by computation, about
five hundred and fifty miles.

Our exercise at times was heavy ; but through
the goodness of the Lord, we were often refreshed :
and 1 may say, by experience, " He is a strong
hold in the day of trouble." Though our society,
in these parts, appeared to me to be in a declining
condition; yet, I believe, the Lord hath a people
amongst them, who labour to serve him uprightly,
but have many difficulties to encounter.

44

CHAP. III.

His marriage. The death of his father. His jour-
nies into the upper part of New Jersey, and after
wards into Pennsylvania. Considerations on
keeping slaves, and his visits to the families of
friends at several times and places. An epistle
from the general meeting. His journey to Long
Island. Considerations on trading and on the use
of spirituous liquors and costly apparel. And his
letter to a friend.

ABOUT this time believing it good for me to set
tle,, and thinking seriously about a companion, my
heart was turned to the Lord with desires that he
would give me wisdom to proceed therein agree
able to his will ; and he was pleased to give me a
well-inclined damsel, Sarah Ellis ; to whom I was
married the eighteenth day of the eighth month, in
the year 1749.

In the fall of the year 1750 died my father,
Samuel Wool man, with a fever, aged about sixty
years.

In his life-time he manifested much care for us
his children, that in our youth we might learn to
fear the Lord ; often endeavouring to imprint in
our minds the true principles of virtue, and parti
cularly to cherish in us a spirit of tenderness, not
only towards poor people, but also towards all
creatures of which we had the command.

45

After my return from Carolina in the year 1746,
I made some observations on keeping slaves, which
sometime before his decease I showed him ; and
he perused the manuscript,, proposed a few al
terations,, and appeared well satisfied that I found a
concern on that account. In his last sickness,
as I was watching with him one night, he being so
far spent that there was no expectation of his reco
very, but had the perfect use of his understanding,
he asked me concerning the manuscript,, whether I
expected soon to proceed to take the advice of
friends in publishing it ? and, after some conversa
tion thereon, said, I have all along been deeply
affected with the oppression of the poor negroes ;
and now, at last, my concern for them is as great as
ever.

By his direction I had written his will in a time of
health, and that night he desired rne to read it to
him, which I did ; and he said it was agreeable to
his mind. He then made mention of his end,
which he believed was now near ; and signified,
that though he was sensible of many imperfections
in the course of his life, yet his experience of the
power of truth, and of the love and goodness of
God from time to time, even till now, was such,
that he had no doubt but that in leaving this life
he should enter into one more happy.

The next day, his sister Elizabeth carne to see
him, and told him of the decease of their sister Anne,
who died a few days before ; he then said, I reckon
sister Anne was free to leave this world ? Elizabeth
said she was. He then said, I also am free to leave

46

it : and being in great weakness of body said, I
hope I shall shortly go to rest. He continued in a
weighty frame of mind, and was sensible till near
the last.

On the second day of the ninth month, in the
year 1751, feeling drawings in my mind to visit
friends at the Great Meadows, in the upper part of
West Jersey, with the unity of our monthly meet
ing, I went there, and had some searching laborious
exercise amongst friends in those parts, and found
inward peace therein.

In the ninth month of the year 1753, in company
with my well-esteemed friend JohnSykes, and with
the unity of friends, we travelled about two weeks,
visiting friends in Buck s County. We laboured in
the love of the gospel, according to the measure
received ; and, through the mercies of Him, who is
strength to the poor who trust in Him, we found
satisfaction in our visit. In the next winter,
way opening to visit friends families within the
compass of our monthly-meeting, partly by the
labours of two friends from Pennsylvania, I joined
in some part of the work, having had a desire some
time that it might go forward amongst us.

About this time, a person at some distance lying
sick, his brother came to me to write his will. I
knew he had slaves ; and, asking his brother, was
told he intended to leave them as slaves to his
children. As writing is a profitable employ, and as
offending sober people was disagreeable to my in
clination, I was straitened in my mind ; but as I
looked to the Lord, he inclined my heart to his

47

testimony; and I told the man, that I believed the
practice of continuing slavery to this people was
not right, and had a scruple in my mind against
doing writings of that kind ; that though many in
our society kept them as slaves, still I was not easy
to be concerned in it, and desired to be excused
from going to write the will. I spake to him in the
fear of the Lord ; and he made no reply to what I
said, but went away : he, also, had some concerns
in the practice ; and I thought he was displeased
with me. In this case I had fresh confirmation,
that acting contrary to present outward interest,
from a motive of divine love, and in regard to
truth and righteousness, and thereby incurring the
resentments of people, opens the way to a treasure
better than silver, and to a friendship exceeding
the friendship of men.

The manuscript before-mentioned having laid
by me several years, the publication of it rested
weightily upon me ; and this year I offered it to the
revisal of friends, who, having examined and made
some small alterations in it, directed a number
of copies thereof to be published and dispersed
amongst friends.

In the year 1754, I found my mind drawn to
join in a visit to friends families belonging to Ches
terfield monthly meeting ; and having the approba
tion of our own, I went to their monthly-meeting
in order to confer with friends, and see if way
opened for it. I had conference with some of
their members, the proposal having been opened
before in their meeting, and one friend agreed to

48

join with me as a companion for a beginning ; bat
when meeting was ended, I felt great distress of
mind, and doubted what way to take, or whether
to go home and wait for greater clearness, I kept
my distress secret ; and going with a friend to his
house, my desires were to the great Shepherd for
his heavenly instruction ; and in the morning I felt
easy to proceed on the visit, being very low in my
mind. As mine eye was turned to the Lord,
waiting in families in deep reverence before Him,
He was pleased graciously to afford help ; so that
we had many comfortable opportunities, and it ap
peared as a fresh visitation to some young people.
I spent several weeks this winter in the service ;
part of which time was employed near home. And
again in the following winter I was several weeks
in the same service ; some part of the time at
Shrewsbury, in company with my beloved friend
John Sykes : arid have cause humbly to acknow
ledge, that through the goodness of the Lord, our
hearts were, at times., enlarged in his love; and
strength was given to go through the trials which,
in the course of our visit, attended us.

From a disagreement between the powers of
England and Prance, it was now a time of trouble
on this continent; and an epistle to friends went
forth from our general spring meeting, which I
thought good to give a place in this journal.

49

An EPISTLE from our general spring meeting of
ministers and elders for Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, held at Philadelphia, from the twenty-
ninth of the third month, to the first of the fourth
month, inclusive, 1755.

To Friends on the Continent of America.

Dear Friends,

IN an humble sense of divine goodness, and the
gracious continuation of God s love to his people,
we tenderly salute you ; and are at this lime there
in engaged in mind, that all of us who profess the
truth, as held forth and published by our worthy
predecessors in this latter age of the world, may
keep near to that life which is the light of men, and
be strengthened to hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering, that our trust may not be
in man, but in the Lord alone, who ruleth in the
army of heaven, and in the kingdoms of men,
before whom the earth is (< as the dust of the
balance, and her inhabitants as grasshoppers."
Isa. xl. 22.

We, being convinced that the gracious design of
the Almighty in sending his Son into the world,
was to repair the breach made by disobedience, to
finish sin and transgression, that his kingdom might
come, and his will be done on earth as it is in hea
ven, have found it to be our duty to cease from
those national contests productive of misery and
bloodshed, and submit our cause to Him, the Most

50

r

High,, whose tender love to his children exceeds
"the most warm affections of natural parents, and
who hath promised to his seed throughout the
earth, as to one individual, (C I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee." Heb. xiii. 5. And we,
through the gracious dealings of the Lord our God,
have had experience of that work which is carried
on, ff not by earthly might, nor by power, but by
my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:" Zech. iv. 6.
By which operation, that spiritual kingdom is set
up, which is to subdue and break in pieces all king
doms that oppose it, and shall stand for ever. In a
deep sense thereof, and of the safely, stability, and
peace there is in it, we are desirous that all who
profess the truth, may be inwardly acquainted with
it, and thereby be qualified to conduct in all parts of
our life as becomes our peaceable profession : and
we trust, as there is a faithful continuance to depend
wholly upon the almighty arm, from one generation
to another, the peaceable kingdom will gradually
be extended " from sea to sea, and from the river
to the ends of the earth/ Zech. ix. 10. to the com
pletion of those prophecies already begun, that
ff nation shall not lift up a sword against nation,
nor learn war any more." Isa. ii. 4. Micah. iv. 3.
And, dearly beloved friends, seeing we have these
promises, and believe that God is beginning to ful
fil them, let us constantly endeavour to have our
minds sufficiently disentangled from the surfeiting
cares of this life, and redeemed from the love of the
world, that no earthly possessions nor enjoyments
may bias our judgments, or turn us from that resig-

51

nation and entire trust in God, to which his blessing
is most surely annexed ; then may we say, sf Our
redeemer is mighty, he will plead our cause for us."
Jer. 1. 34. And if, for the further promoting his
most gracious purposes in the earth, he should give
us to taste of that bitter cup which his faithful ones
have often partaken of; O that we may be rightly
prepared to receive it !

And now, dear friends, with respect to the com
motions and stirrings of the powers of the earth at,
this time near us, we are desirous that none of us
may be moved thereat ; but repose ourselves in
the munition of that rock that all these shakings
shall not move, even in the knowledge and feeling
of the eternal power of God, keeping us subjectly
given up to his heavenly will, and feel it daily to
mortify that which remains in any of us which is of
this world ; for the worldly part in any, is the
changeable part, and that is up and down, full and
empty, joyful and sorrowful, as things go well or ill
in this world. For as the truth is but one, and many
are made partakers of its spirit, so the world is but
one, and many are made partakers of the spirit of
it ; and so many as do partake of it, so many will
be straightened and perplexed with it. But they
who are single to the truth, waiting daily to feel the
life and virtue of it in their hearts, these shall re
joice in the midst of adversity, and have to ex
perience with the prophet, that. Although the fig-
tree shall riot blossom, neither shall fruit be in the
vines ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the
fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut

52

off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the
stalls; yet will they rejoice in the Lord., and joy in
the God of their salvation. Hab. iii. 17, 18.

If, contrary to this, we profess the truth., and not
living under the power and influence of it, are pro
ducing fruits disagreeable to the purity thereof, and
trust to the strength of man to support ourselves,
therein our confidence will be vain. For he who
removed the hedge from his vineyard, and gave it
to be trodden under foot, by reason of the wild
grapes it produced, (Isa. v. 6.) remains unchange
able : and if, for the chastisement of wickedness, and
the further promoting his own glory, he doth arise,
even to shake terribly the earth, who then may op
pose him, and prosper !

We remain, in the love of the gospel, your friends
and brethren.

Signed by fourteen friends.

Scrupling to do writings relative to keeping
slaves, having been a means of sundry small trials
to me, in which I have so evidently felt my own
will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of
them. Tradesmen and retailers of goods, who
depend on their business for a living, are naturally
inclined to keep the good-will of their customers ;
nor is it a pleasant thing for young men to be under
any necessity to question the judgment or honesty
of elderly men, and more especially of such who
have a fair reputation. Deep-rooted customs,
though wrong, are not easily altered ; but it is
the duty of all to be firm in that which they

53

certainly know is right for them. A charitable,,
benevolent man, well acquainted with a negro, may,
1 believe, under some circumstances, keep him in
his family as a servant, on no other motives than
the negro s good ; but man, as man, knows not
what shall be after him, nor hath he any assurance
that his children will attain to that perfection in
wisdom and goodness, necessary rightly to exercise
such power : hence it is clear to me, that I ought
not to be the scribe where wills are drawn, in which
some children are made absolute masters over others
during life.

About this time, an ancient man of good esteem
in the neighbourhood, came to my house to get his
will written ; he had young negroes ; and 1 asked
him privately how he purposed to dispose of them.
He told me : 1 then said, I cannot write thy will
without breaking my own peace ; and respectfully
gave him rny reasons for it. He signitied that he had
a choice that 1 should have written it; but as 1 could
not, consistently with my conscience, he did not de
sire it; and so he got it written by some other person.
And a few years after, there being great alterations
in his family, he came again to get me to write his
will. His negroes were yet young ; and his son. to
whom he intended to give them, was, since he first
spoke to me, from a libertine, become a sober young
man ; and he supposed, that I would have been
free, on that account, to write it. We had much
friendly talk on the subject, and then deferred it :
and a few days after, he came again, and directed
their freedom ; and so I wrote his will.

54

Near the time the last mentioned friend first spoke
to me, a neighbour received a bad bruise in his
body, and sent for me to bleed him ; which being
done, he desired me to write his will. 1 took notes;
and amongst other things, he told me to which of
his children he gave his young negro. I considered
the pain and distress he was in, and knew not how
it would end ; so I wrote his will, save only that
part concerning his slave, and carrying it to his
bed-side, read it to him : and then told him in a
friendly way, that I could not write any instruments
by which my fellow-creatures were made slaves,
without bringing trouble on my own mind. I let
him know that I charged nothing for what I had
done, and desired to be excused from doing the
other part in the way he proposed. We then had a
serious conference on the subject; at length, he
agreeing to set her free, I finished his will.

Having found drawings in my mind to visit friends
on Long Island, after obtaining a certificate from
our monthly-meeting, I set off on the twelfth-day
of the fifth month, in the year 1756. When I
reached the island, I lodged the first night at the
house of my dear friend Richard Mallet. The
next day, being the first of the week, I was at the
meeting in New Town ; in which we experienced
the renewed manifestations of the love of Jesus
Christ, to the comfort of the honest-hearted. I went
that night to Flushing; and the next day, in com
pany with my beloved friend Matthew Franklin, we
crossed the ferry at White Stone ; were at three
meetings on the main, and then returned to the

55

sland ; where I spent the remainder of the Week in
visiting meetings. The Lord, I believe,, hath a
people in those parts., who are honestly inclined to
serve him ; but many, I fear, are too much clogged
with the things of this life, and do not come for
ward bearing the cross in such faithfulness as He
calls for.

My mind was deeply engaged in this visit, both
in public and private ; and, at several places where
I was, on observing that they had slaves, I found
myself under a necessity, in a friendly way, to
labour with them on that subject ; expressing, as
way opened, the inconsistency of that practice with
the purity of the Christian religion, and the ill effects
of it manifested amongst us.

The latter end of the week, their yearly meeting
began; at which were our friends John Scarbo
rough, Jane Hoskins, and Susannah Brown, from
Pennsylvania. The public meetings were large, and
measurably favoured with divine goodness.

The exercise of my mind, at this meeting, was
chiefly on account of those who were considered as
the foremost rank in the society : and in a meeting
of ministers and elders, way opened, that I ex
pressed in some measure what lay upon me ; and at
a time when friends were met for transacting the
affairs of the church, having sat a while silent, I
felt a weight on my mind, and stood up ; and,
through the gracious regard of our heavenly Fa
ther, strength was given fully to clear myself of a
burden, which for some days had been increasing
upon me.

56

Through the humbling dispensations of Divine
Providence, men are sometimes fitted for his ser
vice. The messages of the prophet Jeremiah were
so disagreeable to the people, and so reverse to the
spirit they lived in, that he became the object of
their reproach : and in the weakness of nature,
thought of desisting from his prophetic office ; but
saith he, ff His word was in my heart as a burning
fire shut up in my bones ; and I was weary with
forbearing, and could not stay." I saw at this
time, that if I was honest in declaring that which
truth opened in me, I could not please ail men ; and
laboured to be content in the way of my duty, how
ever disagreeable to my own inclination. After
this I went homeward, taking Woodbridge and
Plainfield in my way ; in both which meetings, the
pure influence of divine love was manifested; in an
humbling sense whereof I went home: having been
out about twenty-four days, and rode about three
hundred arid sixteen miles.

While I was out on this journey, my heart was
much affected with a senseof the state of the churches
in our southern provinces; and believing the Lord
was calling me to some further labour amongst
them, I was bowed in reverence before Hi in, with
fervent desires that I might find strength to resign
myself up to his heavenly will.

Until this year, 1756, I continued to retail goods,
besides following my trade as a tailor: about which
time, I grew uneasy on account of my business
growing too cumbersome. I had begun with sell
ing trimmings for garments, and from thence pro-

57

ceeded to sell cloths and linens; and, at length,
having got a considerable shop of goods,, my trade
increased every year, and the road to large business
appeared open ; but I felt a stop in my rnind.

Through the mercies of the Almighty, I had, in a
good degree, learned to be content with a plain
way of living. I had but a small family ; and on
serious consideration, I believed truth did not re
quire me to engage in much cumbering affairs. It
had been my general practice to buy and sell things
really useful. Things that served chiefly to please
the vain mind in people, I was not easy to trade in ;
seldom did it ; and whenever I did, I found it weaken
me as a Christian.

The increase of business became my burden ; for
though my natural inclination was toward mer
chandize, yet I believed truth required me to live
more free from outward cumbers : arid there was
now a strife in my mind between the two; and in
this exercise my prayers were put up to the Lord,
who graciously heard me, and gave me a heart re
signed to his holy will. Then I lessened my outward
business; and as I had opportunity, told iny cus
tomers of my intentions, that they might consider
what shop to turn to : and in a while wholly laid
down merchandize, following my trade as a tailor;
myself only, ha ving no apprentice. I also had a
nursery of apple-trees ; in which I employed some
of my time in hoeing, grafting, trimming, arid ino
culating. In merchandize it is the custom, where
I lived, to 1 sell chiefly on credit, and poor people
often get iuxlebt ; and when payment is expected,

58

not having wherewith to pay, their creditors often
sue for it at law. Having often observed occur
rences of this kind,, I found it good for me to advise
poor people, to take such goods as Vvere most use
ful, and not costly.

In the time of trading, I had an opportunity of
seeing, that the too liberal use of spirituous liquors,
and the custom of wearing too costly apparel, led
some people into great inconveniences; and these
two things appear to be often connected one with
the other; for by riot attending to that use of things,
which is consistent with universal righteousness,
there is an increase of labour which extends beyond
what our heavenly Father intends for us. And by
great labour, and often by much sweating, there is
even among such who are not drunkards, a craving
of some liquors to revive the spirits ; that partly by
the luxurious drinking of some, and partly by the
drinking of others, (led to it through immoderate
labour) very great quantities of rum are every year
expended in our colonies; the greater part of which
we should have no need of, did we steadily attend to
pure wisdom.

Where men take pleasure in feeling their minds
elevated with strong drink, and so indulge their
appetite as to disorder their understandings, neglect
their duty as members in a family or civil society,
and cast off all regard to religion, thfcir case is much
to be pitied. And where such whose lives are for
the most part regular, and whose examples have a
strong influence on the minds of others, adhere to
some customs which powerfully draw to the use of

59

more strong liquor than pure wisdom allows ; this
also,, as it hinders the spreading of the spirit of
meekness, and strengthens the hands of the more
excessive drinkers., is a case to be lamented.

As every degree of luxury hath some connexion
with evil ; for those who profess to be disciples of
Christ, and are looked upon as leaders of the people,
to have that mind in them, which was also in Christ,
and so stand separate from every wrong way, is a
means of help to the weaker. As I have sometimes
been much spent in the heat, arid taken spirits to
revive me, I have found by experience, that in such
circumstances the mind is not so cairn, nor so fitly
disposed for divine meditation, as when all such
extremes are avoided ; and I have felt an increasing
care to attend to that holy Spirit which sets right
bounds to our desires ; and leads those who faith
fully follow it, to apply all the gifts of Divine
Providence to the purposes for which they were in
tended. Did such who have the care of great es
tates, attend with singleness of heart to this heaven
ly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the mind,
that men love their neighbours as themselves, they
would have wisdom given them to manage, without
finding occasion to employ some people in the
luxuries of life, or to make it necessary for others
ta labour too hard ; but for want of steadily re
garding this principle of divine love, a selfish spirit
takes place in the minds of people, which is ak-
tended with durkness, and manifold confusions iij
the world.

60

Though trading in things useful is an honest
employ : yet,, through the great number of super
fluities which are bought and sold, and through the
corruption of the times, they who apply to mer
chandize for a living, have great need to be well
experienced in that precept which the prophet Jere-
iniah laid down for his scribe: " Seekest thou great
things for thyself? seek them not."

In the winter, this year, I was engaged with
friends in visiting families ; and through the good
ness of the Lord,, we had often times experience of
his heart-tendering presence amongst us.

A copy of a Letter written to a friend.

" IN this thy late affliction I have found a deep
fellow-feeling with thee ; and had a secret hope
throughout, that it might please the Father of mer
cies to raise thee up, and sanctify thy troubles to
thee ; that thou being more fully acquainted with
that way which the world esteems foolish, may feel
the clothing of divine fortitude, and be strength
ened to resist that spirit, which leads from the sim
plicity of the everlasting truth.

We may see ourselves crippled and halting, and
from a strong bias to things pleasant and easy, find
an impossibility to advance forward ; but things
impossible with men are possible with God ; and
our wills being made subject to his, all temptations
are surmountable.

61

This work of subjecting the will, is compared to
the mineral in the furnace ; which, through fervent
heat, is reduced from its first principle : " He re
fines them as silver is refined he shall sit as a re
finer, and purifier of silver/ By these comparisons,
we are instructed in the necessity of the melting
operation of the hand of God upon us, to prepare
our hearts truly to adore Him, and manifest that
adoration, by inwardly turning away from that
spirit in all its workings, which is not of Him. To
forward this work, the all-wise God is sometimes
pleased, through outward distress, to bring us near
the gates of death ; that life being painful and
afflicting, and the prospect of eternity open before
us, all earthly bonds may be loosened, and the mind
prepared for that deep and sacred instruction,
which otherwise would not be received. If kind
parents love their children, and delight in their hap
piness, then He, who is perfect goodness^ in sending
abroad mortal contagions, doth assuredly direct
their use Are the righteous removed by it, their
change is happy ; are the wicked taken away in
their wickedness, the Almighty is clear: do we pass
through with anguish and great bitterness, and yet
recover, He intends that we should be purged from
dross, and our ear opened to discipline.

And now, on thy part, after thy sore affliction and
doubts of recovery, thou art again restored, forget
not Him who hath helped thee ; but in humble
gratitude hold fast his instructions, thereby to shun
those bye-paths which lead from the firm foundation.
I am sensible of that variety of company, to which

62

one in thy business must be exposed : I have painful
ly felt the force of conversation proceeding from men
deeply rooted in an earthly mind, and can sympa
thize with others in such conflicts, in that much
weakness still attends me.

I find that to be a fool as to worldly wisdom, and
commit my cause to God, not fearing to offend
men, who take offence at the simplicity of truth, is
the only way to remain unmoved at the sentiments
of others.

The fear of man brings a snare. By halting in our
duty, and giving back in the time of trial, our hands
grow weaker, our spirits get mingled with the peo
ple, our ears grow dull as to hearing the language
of the true Shepherd : that when we look at the
way of the righteous, it seems as though it was not
for us to follow them.

There is a love clothes my mind while I write,
which is superior to all expressions ; and I find my
heart open to encourage to a holy emulation, to
advance forward in Christian firmness, Deep humi
lity is a strong bulwark ; and as we enter into it, we
find safety and true exaltation : the foolishness of
God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is
stronger than man. Being unclothed of our own
wisdom, and knowing the abasement of the crea
ture, therein we find that power to arise, which
gives health and vigour to us."

63

CHAP, IV.

His visiting the families of friends at Burlington.
His journey to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,
and North Carolina. Considerations on the state
of friends there ; and the exercise he was under in
travelling among those so generally concerned in
keeping slaves: with some observations in conver
sation, at several times, on this subject. His epis
tle to friends at New Garden and Crane Creek.
His thoughts on the neglect of a religious care in
the education of the negroes.

THE thirteenth day of the second month, in the
year 1757, being then in good health, and abroad
with friends visiting families, I lodged at a friend s
house in Burlington ; and going to bed about the
time usual with me, I awoke in the night, arid my
meditations, as I lay, were on the goodness and
mercy of the Lord ; in a sense whereof my heart was
contrite. After this, I went to sleep again ; and
sleeping a short time, I awoke ; it was yet daik,
and no appearance of day nor moonshine ; and as
I opened mine eyes, I saw a light in my chamber,
at the apparent distance of five feet, about nine
inches diameter, of a clear easy brightness, and near
its center the most radiant. As I lay still, without
any surprize looking upon it, words were spoken to
my inward ear, which filled my whole inward man.
They were not the effect of thought, nor any con-

64

elusion in relation to the appearance,, but as the
language of the Holy One, spoken in my mind. The
words were, CERTAIN EVIDENCE of DIVINE TRUTH :
and were again repeated exactly in the same man
ner,, whereupon the light disappeared.

Feeling the exercise in relation to a visit to the
Southern Provinces to increase upon me, I ac
quainted our monthly meeting therewith, and ob
tained their certificate. Expecting to go alone, one
of my brothers who lived in Philadelphia, having
some business in North Carolina, proposed going
with me part of the way ; but as he had a view of
some outward affairs, to accept of him as a com
panion, seemed some difficulty with me, whereupon
I had conversation with him at sundry times ; and,
at length, feeling easy in my mind, I had conver
sation with several elderly friends of Philadelphia
on the subject ; and he obtaining a certificate suit
able to the occasion, we set off in the fifth month of
the year J757; and coming to Nottingham week
day meeting, lodged at John Churchman s, and
here I met with our friend Benjamin Buffington,
from New England, who was returning from a visit
to the Southern Provinces. Thence we crossed
the river Susquehannah, and lodged at William
Cox s in Maryland ; and soon after I entered this
province, a deep and painful exercise came upon
me, which I often had some feeling of, since my
mind was drawn toward these parts, and with which
I had acquainted my brother before we agreed to
join as companions.

As the people in this and the Southern Provinces

live much on the labour of slaves, many of whom
are used hardly, my concern was, that 1 might at
tend with singleness of heart to the voice of the true
Shepherd, and be so supported as to remain un
moved at the faces of men.

As it is common for friends on such a visit to have
entertainment free of cost, a difficulty arose in my
mind with respect to saving my money by kindness
received, which to me appeared to be the gain of
oppression .

Receiving a gift, considered as a gift, brings the
receiver under obligations to the benefactor, and
has a natural tendency to draw the obliged into a
party with the giver. To prevent difficulties of this
kind, and to preserve the minds of judges from any
bias, was that divine prohibition : cc Thou shalt not
receive any gift ; for a gift blindeth the wise, and
perverteth the words of the righteous/ 5 Exod.
xxiii. 8. As the disciples were sent forth without
any provision for their journey, and our Lord said
the workman is worthy of his meat, their labour in
the gospel was considered as a reward for their
entertainment, and therefore not received as a gift;
yet, in regard to my present journey, I could not
see my way clear in that respect. The difference
appeared thus : the entertainment the disciples met
with, was from such whose hearts God had opened
to receive them, from a love to them, and the truth
they published ; but we, considered as members of
the same religious society, look upon it as a piece
of civility to receive each other in such visits ; and
such reception, at times, is partly in regard to

reputation, and not from an inward unity of heart
and spirit. Conduct is more convincing than lan
guage ; and where people., by their actions, manifest
that the slave-trade is not so disagreeable to their
principles but that it may be encouraged, there
is not a sound uniting with some friends who visit
them.

The prospect of so weighty a work, and being so
distinguished from many whom I esteemed before
myself, brought me very low ; and such \vere the
conflicts of my soul, that I had a near sympathy
with the prophet, in the time of his weakness, when
he said, " If thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray
thee, if I have found favour in thy sight;" Num.
xi. 15. but I soon saw that this proceeded from the
want of a full resignation to the divine will. Many
were the afflictions which attended me; and in great
abasement, with many tears, my cries were to the
Almighty, for his gracious and fatherly assistance ;
and then, after a time of deep trial, 1 was favoured
to understand the state mentioned by the psalmist,
more clearly than ever I had before ; to wit : " My
soul is even as a weaned child." Psalrn cxxxi. 2.
Being thus helped to sink down into resignation, I
felt a deliverance from that tempest in which I had
been sorely exercised, and in calmness of mind
went forward, trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ,
as I faithfully attended to him, would be a counsel
lor to me in all difficulties; and that by his strength
I should be enabled, even to leave money with the
members of society where I had entertainment,
when I found that omitting it, would obstruct

67

that work to which I believed he had called me :
and as I copy this after my return,, I may here add,
that oftentimes I did so, under a sense of duty. The
way in which I did it was thus : when I expected
soon to leave a friend s house where I had enter
tainment, if I believed that I should not keep clear
from the gain of oppression without leaving money,
T spoke to one of the heads of the family privately,
and desired them to accept of those pieces of silver,
and give them to such of their negroes as they
believed would make the best use of them ; arid at
other times, I gave them to the negroes myself, as
the way looked clearest to me. As I expected this
before I came out, I had provided a large number
of small pieces ; and thus offering them to some
who appeared to be wealthy people, was a trial
both to me and them ; but the fear of the Lord so
covered me at times, that my way was made easier
than I expected ; and few, if any, manifested any
resentment at the offer, and most of them, after some
talk, accepted of them.

The seventh day of the fifth month, in the year
1757, lodged at a friend s house ; and the next day,
being the first of the week, was at Poiapsco meet
ing ; then crossed Patuxent river, and lodged at a
public-house.

On the ninth, breakfasted at a friend s house;
who afterwards, putting us a little on our way, I had
conversation with him, in the fear of the Lord, con
cerning his slaves ; in which my heart was tender,
and I used much plainness of speech with him, which
he appeared to take kindly. We pursued pur

6S

journey without appointing meetings, being pressed
in my mind to be at the yearly meeting in Virginia ;
and in my travelling on the road, I often felt a cry
rise from the centre of my mind, thus: ff O Lord, I
am a stranger on the earth, hide not thy face from
me." On the eleventh day of the fifth month, we
crossed the rivers Patowmack and Rapahannock,
and lodged at Port Royal ; and on the way we
happening in company with a colonel of the militia,
who appeared to be a thoughtful man ; I took oc
casion to remark on the difference in general be
twixt a people used to labour moderately for their
living, training up their children in frugality and
business, and those who live on the labour of slaves;
the former, in my view, being the most happy life :
with which he concurred, and mentioned the trouble
arising from the untoward, slothful, disposition of
the negroes ; adding, that one of our labourers
would do as much in a day as two of their slaves.
I replied, that free men, whose minds were properly
on their business, found a satisfaction in improving,
cultivating, and providing for their families ; but
negroes, labouring to support others who claim
them as their property, and expecting nothing but
slavery during life, had not the like inducement to
be industrious.

After some further conversation, I said, that men
having power, too often misapplied it ; that though
we made slaves of the negroes, and the Turks made
slaves of the Christians, I however believed that
liberty was the natural right of all men equally :
which he did not deny; but said, the lives of the

69

negroes were so wretched in their own country, that
many of them lived better here than there. I only
said, there is great odds in regard to us, on what
principle we act ; and so the conversation on that
subject ended : and I may here add, that another
person, some time afterwards, mentioned the wretch
edness of the negroes, occasioned by their intestine
wars, as an argument in favour of our fetching them
away for slaves. To which I then replied, if compas
sion on the Africans, in regard to their domestic
troubles, were the real motives of our purchasing
them, that spirit of tenderness being attended to,
would incite us to use them kindly ; that as strang
ers brought out of affliction, their lives might be
happy among us ; and as they are human creatures,
whose souls are as precious as ours, and .who may
receive the same help and comfort from the holy
scriptures as we do, we could not omit suitable en
deavours to instruct them therein ; but while we
manifest by our conduct, that our views in pur
chasing them are to advance ourselves ; and while
our buying captives taken in war, animates those
parties to push on the war, and increase desolation
amongst them ; to say they live unhappy in Africa,
is far from being an argument in our favour. I
further said, the present circumstances of these pro-*-
vinces to me appear difficult ; that the slaves look
like a burthensome stone to such \vho burthen
themselves with them; and that if the white people
retain a resolution to prefer their outward prospects
of gain to all other considerations, and do not act
conscientiously toward them as fellow-creatures., I

70

believe that burden will grow heavier and heavier*
until times change in a way disagreeable to us : at
which the person appeared very serious; and
owned, that in considering their condition, and the
manner of their treatment in these provinces, he
had some times thought it might be just in the
Almighty so to order it.

Having thus travelled through Maryland, we
came amongst friends at Cedar Creek in Virginia,
on the twelfth day of the fifth month ; and the next
day rode, in company with several friends, a day s
journey to Camp Creek. As I was riding along
in the morning, my mind was deeply affected in a
sense I had of the want of divine aid to support
me, in the various difficulties which attended me ;
and in an uncommon distress of mind, I cried in
secret to the Most High, ff O Lord be merciful, I
beseech thee to thy poor afflicted creature/ After
some time, 1 felt inward relief; and soon after, a
friend in company began to talk in support of the
slave-trade, and said, the negroes were understood
to be the offspring of Cain, their blackness being
the mark God set upon him, after he murdered
Abel his brother; that it was the design of Pro
vidence they should be slaves, as a condition pro
per to the race of so wicked a man as Cain was:
then another spake in support of what had been
said. To all which, I replied in substance as
follows : that Noah and his family were all who
survived the flood, according to scripture ; and as
Noah was of Seth s race, the family of Cain was
wholly destroyed. One of them said, that after

71

the flood Ham went to the land of Nod, and took
a wife ; that Nod was a land far distant,, inhabited
by Cain s race,, and that the flood did not reach it ;
and as Ham was sentenced to be a servant of ser
vants to his brethren, these two families being thus
joined,, were undoubtedly fit only for slaves. I re
plied, the flood was a judgment upon the world
for their abominations ; and it was granted, that
Cain s stock was the most wicked, and therefore
unreasonable to suppose they were spared : as to
Ham s going to the land of Nod for a wife, no time
being fixed, Nod might be inhabited by some of
Noah s family, before Ham married a second time :
moreover the text saith, " That all flesh died that
moved upon the earth/ Gen. vii, 21. I further re
minded them, how the prophets repeatedly declare,
" that the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the
father : but every one be answerable for his own
sins." I was troubled to perceive the darkness of
their imaginations ; and in some pressure of spirit
said, the love of ease arid gain are the motives in
general of keeping slaves, and men are wont to
take hold of weak arguments to support a cause
which is unreasonable ; and added, I have no in
terest on either side, save only the interest which I
desire to have in the truth : and as I believe liberty
is their right, and see they are not only deprived of
it, but treated in other respects with inhumanity in
many places, I believe He, who is a refuge for the
oppressed, will, in his own time, plead their cause ;
and happy will it be for such, who walk in up-

Tightness before Him : and thus our conversation
ended.

On the fourteenth day of the fifth month I was
at Camp Creek monthly-meeting, and then rode to
the mountains up James River, and had a meeting
at a friend s house ; in both which I felt sqrrow of
heart, and my tears were poured out before the
Lord, who was pleased to afford a degree of strength,
by which way was opened to clear my mind amongst
friends in those places. From thence I went to Fork
Creek, and so to Cedar Creek again ; at which place
I now had a meeting. Here I found a tender seed ;
and as I was preserved in the ministry to keep low
with the Truth ; the same truth in their hearts an
swered it, that it was a time of mutual refreshment
from the presence of the Lord. I lodged at James
Standley s, father of William Standley, one of the
young men who suffered imprisonment at Win
chester last summer, on account of their testimony
against fighting ; and I had some satisfactory con
versation with him concerning it. Hence I went to
the Swamp-meeting, and to Wayanoke-meeting ;
and then crossed James River, and lodged near
Burleigh. From the time of my entering Maryland
I have been much under sorrow, which of late so
increased upon me that my mind was almost over
whelmed; and I may say with the psalmist, <f In
my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to
my God ;" who, in infinite goodness, looked upon
my affliction, and in iny private retirement sent the
Comforter for my relief; for which I humbly bless
holv name.

73

The sense I had of the state of the churches,
brought a weight of distress upon me. The gold
to me appeared dim, and the fine gold changed ;
and though this is the case too generally, yet the
sense of it in these parts hath, in a particular man
ner,, borne heavy upon me. It appeared to me, that
through the prevailing of the spirit of this world,
the minds of many were brought to an inward de
solation ; and instead of the spirit of meekness,
gentleness, and heavenly wisdom, which are the
necessary companions of the true sheep of Christ,
a spirit of fierceness, and the love of dominion, too
generally prevailed. From small beginnings in
errors, great buildings, by degrees, are raised; and
from one age to anothec are more and more strength
ened by the general concurrence of the people ; and
as men obtain reputation by their profession of the
truth, their virtues are mentioned as arguments in
favour of general error ; and those of less note, to
justify themselves, say such and such and good men
did the like. By what other steps could the people
of Judah arise to that height in wickedness, as to
give just ground for the prophet Isaiah to declare
in the name of the Lord, " that none calleth for
justice, nor any pleadeth for truth/ Isaiah lix. 4;
or for the Almighty to call upon the great city of
Jerusalem, just before the Babylonish captivity,
f( If ye can find a man, if there be any who execu-
teth judgment, that seeketh the truth, and I will
pardon it." Jer. v. 1. The prospect of a road lying
open to the same degeneracy, in some parts of this
newly settled land of America^ in respect to our

74

conduct towards the negroes, hath deeply bowed
my mind in this journey ; and though to briefly
relate how these people are treated is no agreeable
work ; yet,, after often reading over the notes I
made as I travelled, I find my mind engaged to
preserve them. Many of the white people in those
provinces take little or no care of negro marriages ;
and when negroes marry after their own way,
some make so little account of those marriages,
that with views of outward interest, they often part
men from their wives by selling them far asunder;
which is common when estates are sold by execu
tors at vendue. Many whose labour is heavy, being
followed,, at their business in the field, by a man
with a whip, hired for that purpose, have in com
mon little else allowed but one peck of Indian corn
and some salt for one week, with a few potatoes ;
the potatoes they commonly raise by their labour
on the first day of the week.

The correction ensuing on their disobedience to
overseers, or slothfulness in business, is often very
severe, and sometimes desperate.

Men and women have many times scarce clothes
enough to hide their nakedness, and boys and girls,
ten and twelve years old, are often quite naked
amongst their master s children. Some of our
society, and some of the society called new-lights,
use some endeavours to instruct those they have in
reading ; but in common this is not only neglected,
but disapproved. These are the people by whose
labour the other inhabitants are in a great measure
supported, and many of them in the luxuries of

75

life. These are the people who have made no agree
ment to serve us, and who have not forfeited their
liberty that we know of. These are the souls for
whom Christ died ; and for our conduct towards
them, we must answer before Him who is no re
specter of persons.

They who know the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom He hath sent, and are thus acquainted
with the merciful, benevolent, gospel spirit,, will
therein perceive that the indignation of God is
kindled against oppression and cruelty ; and in be
holding the great distress of so numerous a people,
will tind cause for mourning.

From my lodgings I went to Burleigh-meeting,
where I felt my mind drawn into a quiet resigned
state ; and after long silence, I felt an engagement
to stand up ; and through the powerful operation
of divine love, we were favoured with an edifying
meeting. The next meeting we had was at Black
Water ; and so to the yearly-meeting at the Wes
tern Branch. When business began, some queries
were considered, by some of their members, to be
now produced ; and if approved, to be answered
hereafter by their respective monthly-meetings.
They were the Pennsylvania queries, which had
been examined by a committee of Virginia yearly-
meeting appointed the last year, who made some
alterations in them ; one of which alterations was
made in favour of a custom which troubled rne.
The query was, <f Are there any concerned in the
importation of negroes, or buying them after im
ported ?" which they altered thus : " Are there any

76

concerned in the importation of negroes,, or buying
them to trade in ?" As one query admitted with
unanimity was, " Are any concerned in buying or
vending goods unlawfully imported, or prize
goods?" I found my rnind engaged to say, that
as we profess the truth, and were there assembled
to support the testimony of it, it was necessary for
us to dwell deep, and act in that wisdom which is
pure ; or otherwise we could not prosper. I then
mentioned their alteration ; and, referring to the
last mentioned query, added, as purchasing any
merchandize taken by the sword, was always al
lowed to be inconsistent with our principles ; ne
groes being captives of war, or taken by stealth,
those circumstances make it inconsistent with our
testimony to buy them ; and their being our fellow-
creatures, who are sold as slaves, adds greatly to
the iniquity Friends appeared attentive to what
was said ; some expressed a care and concern about
their negroes; none made any objection, by way
of reply to what I said ; but the query was ad
mitted as they had altered it. As some of their
members have heretofore traded in negroes, as in
other merchandize, this query being admitted, will
be one step further than they have hitherto gone ;
and I did not see it my duty to press for an altera
tion ; but felt easy to leave it all to Him, who alone
is able to turn the hearts of the mighty, and make
\vay for the spreading of truth on the earth, by
means agreeable to his infinite wisdom. But in
regard to those they already had, I felt my mind
engaged to labour with them ; and said^ that, as

77

we believe the scriptures were given forth by holy
men, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and
many of us know by experience that they are often
helpful and comfortable, and believe ourselves
bound in duty to teach our children to read them ;
I believe, that if we were divested of all selfish
views, the same good spirit that gave them forth,
would engage us to teach the negroes to read, that
they might have the benefit of them. Some there
were amongst them, who at this time, manifested a
concern in regard to taking more care in the educa
tion of their negroes.

On the twenty-ninth day of the fifth month, at
the house where I lodged, was a meeting of ministers y
and elders, at the ninth hour in the morning ; at
which time I found an engagement to speak freely
and plainly to them concerning their slaves ; men
tioning, how they, as the first rank in the society,
whose conduct in that case was much noticed by
others, were under the stronger obligations to
look carefully to themselves. Expressing how need
ful it was for them in that situation, to be thoroughly
divested of all selfish views ; that living in the pure
truth, and acting conscientiously toward those
people in their education and otherwise, they might
be instrumental in helping forward a work so exceed
ingly necessary, and so much neglected amongst
them. At the twelfth hour the meeting of worship
began ; which was a solid meeting.

On the thirtieth day, about the tenth hour,
friends met to finish their business, and then the
meeting for worship ensued, which to me was a

7S

laborious time ; but through the goodness of the
Lord, Truth, I believe, gained some ground ; and
it was a strengthening opportunity to the honest-
hearted .

About this time I wrote an epistle to friends in
the back settlements of North Carolina, as follows :

To Friends at their monthly -meeting at New Garden
and Cane Creek, in North Carolina,

Dear Friends,

IT having pleased the Lord to draw me forth on
a visit to some parts of Virginia and Carolina, you
have often been in my mind ; and though my way
is not clear to come in person to visit you, yet I
feel it in my heart to communicate a few things,
as they arise in the love of truth. First, my dear
friends, dwell in humility; and take heed that no
views of outward gain get too deep hold of you,
that so your eyes being single to the Lord, you
may be preserved in the way of safety. Where
people let loose their minds after the love of out
ward things, and are more engaged in pursuing
the profits, and seeking the friendships of this
world, than to be inwardly acquainted with the
way of true peace ; such walk in a vain shadow,
while the true comfort of life is wanting. Their
examples are often hurtful to others; and their
treasures thus collected, do many times prove
dangerous snares to their children.

But where people are sincerely devoted to follow
Christ, and dwell under the influence of his Holy

79

Spirit, their stability and firmness, through a divine
blessing, is at times like dew on the tender plants
round about them, and the weightiness of their
spirits secretly works on the minds of others ; and
in this condition, through the spreading influence
of divine love, they feel a care over the flock ; and
way is opened for maintaining good order in the
society. And though we meet with opposition
from another spirit, yet, as there is a dwelling in
meekness, feeling our spirits subject, and moving-
only in the gentle peaceable wisdom, the inward
reward of quietness will be greater than all our
difficulties. Where the pure life is kept to, and
meetings of discipline are held in the authority of
it, we find by experience that they are comfortable,
and tend to the health of the body.

While I write, the youth come fresh in my way.
Dear young people, choose God for your portion ;
love his truth, and be not ashamed of it ; choose
for your company such who serve Him in upright
ness ; mid shun, as most dangerous, the conversa
tion of those whose lives are of an ill savour; for
by frequenting such company, some hopeful young
people have come to great loss, and been drawn
from less evils to greater, to their utter ruin. In
the bloom of youth no ornament is so lovely as
that of virtue, nor any enjoyments equal to those
which we partake of, in fully resigning ourselves to
the divine will. These enjoyments add sweetness
to all other comforts, and give true satisfaction in
company and conversation, where people are mu
tually acquainted with it ; and as your minds are

80

thus seasoned with the truth, you will find strength
to abide stedfast to the testimony of it, and be pre
pared for services in the church.

And now,, dear friends arid brethren, as you are
improving a wilderness, and may be numbered
amongst the first planters in one part of a province,
I beseech you, in the love of Jesus Christ, to wisely
consider the force of your examples, and think how
much your successors may be thereby affected. It
is a help in a country; yea, and a great favour and
a blessing, when customs first settled, are agreeable
to sound wisdom ; so when they are otherwise,
the effect of them is grievous ; and children feel
themselves encompassed with difficulties prepared
for them by their predecessors.

As moderate care and exercise, under the direc
tion of true wisdom, are useful both to mind and
body; so, by these means in general, the real wants
of life are easily supplied. Our gracious Father
having so proportioned one to the other, that keep
ing in the medium we may pass on quietly. Where
slaves are purchased to do our labour, numerous
difficulties attend it. To rational creatures bond
age is uneasy, and frequently occasions sourness
and discontent in them ; which affects the family,
and such who claim the mastery over them. And
ihus people and their children are many times en
compassed with vexations, which arise from their
applying to wrong methods to get a living.

1 have been informed that there are a large num
ber of friends in your parts, who have no slaves;
and in tender and most affectionate love, I beseech

81

you to keep clear from purchasing any. Look, my
dear friends, to Divine Providence ; and follow in
simplicity that exercise of body, that plainness and
frugality,, which true wisdom leads to ; so may you
be preserved from those dangers which attend such
who are aiming at outward ease and greatness.

Treasures, though small, attained on a true prin
ciple of virtue, are sweet in the possession ; and
while we walk in the light of the Lord, there is
true comfort and satisfaction. Here, neither the
murmurs of an oppressed people, nor throbbing
uneasy conscience, nor anxious thoughts about the
events of things, hinder the enjoyment of it.

When we look towards the end of life, arid think
on the division of our substance among our suc
cessors ; if we know that it was collected in the
fear of the Lord, in honesty, in equity, and in up
rightness of heart before Him, we may consider it
as his gift to us ; and with a single eye to his bles
sing, bestow it on those we leave behind us. Such
is the happiness of the plain ways of true virtue.
" The work of righteousness shall be peace ; and
the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance
for ever." Isa. xxxii. 17.

Dwell here, my dear friends; and then in remote
and solitary deserts, you may find true peace and
satisfaction. If the Lord be our God, in truth and
reality, there is safety for us ; for He is a strong
hold in the day of trouble, and knoweth them that
trust in Him.

Isle of Wight County, in Virginia,
29th of the bth month, 1757.

82

From the yearly meeting in Virginia, I went to
Carolina ; and on the first day of the sixth month,
was at Wells monthly meeting-, where the spring of
the gospel ministry was opened, arid the love of
Jesus Christ experienced amongst us: to his name
be the praise.

Here my brother joined with some friends from
New Garden, who were going homeward ; and I
went next to Simons Creek monthly meeting, where
I was silent during the meeting for worship ; and
when business came on, my rnind was exercised
concerning the poor slaves ; but did not feel my
way clear to speak. In this condition I was bowed
in spirit before the Lord ; and with tears and in
ward supplication besought Him,, so to open my
understanding, that I might know his will concern
ing me; and, at length, my mind was settled in
silence. Near the end of their business, a member
of their meeting expressed a concern, that had some
time lain upon him, on account of friends so much
neglecting their duty in the education of their
slaves ; and proposed having meetings sometimes
appointed for them on a week day, to be only at
tended by some friends to be named in their
monthly meetings ; many present appeared to unite
with the proposal. One said, he had often won
dered that they, being our fellow-creatures and
capable of religious understanding, had been so
exceedingly neglected : another expressed the like
concern, and appeared zealous, that friends, in
future, might more closely consider it. At length
a minute was made ; and the further consideration

83

of it referred to then- next monthly meeting. The
friend who made this proposal hath negroes : he
told me, that he was at New Garden ; about two
hundred and fifty miles from home,, and came back
alone; and that in this solitary journey, this exer
cise, in regard to the education of their negroes,
was, from time to time., renewed in his mind. A
friend of some note in Virginia, who hath slaves,
told me, that he being far from home on a lonesome
journey, had many serious thoughts about them ;
and that his mind was so impressed therewith, that
he believed that he saw a time coming, when Divine
Providence would alter the circumstance of these
people, respecting their condition as slaves.

From hence I went to Newbegun Creek, and sat
a considerable time in much weakness ; then I felt
truth open the way to speak a little in much plain
ness and simplicity, till, at length, through the
increase of divine love amongst us, we had a sea
soning opportunity. From thence to the head of
Little River, on a first day, where was a crowded
meeting; and, I believe, was through divine good
ness, made profitable to some. Thence to the Old
Neck ; where I was led into a careful searching out
of the secret workings of the mystery of iniquity,
which, under a cover of religion, exalts itself against
that pure spirit, which leads in the way of meekness
and self-denial. From thence to Piney woods :
this was the last meeting I was at in Carolina, and
was large ; and my heart being deeply engaged,
I was drawn forth into a fervent labour amongst
them.

84

When I was at Newbcgun Creek, a friend was
there who laboured for his living, having no ne
groes, and had been a minister many years. He
came to me the next day ; and as we rode together,
he signified that he wanted to talk with me con
cerning a difficulty he had been under, and related
it nearly as follows : to wit, that as monies had of
late years been raised by a tax to carry on the
wars, he had a scruple in his mind in regard to pay
ing it ; and chose rather to suffer distraint of his
goods than pay it ; and as he was the only person
who refused it in those parts, and knew not that any
one else was in the like circumstances, he signified
that it had been a heavy trial to him ; and more so,
for that some of his brethren had been uneasy with
his conduct in that case. He added, that from a
sympathy he felt with me yesterday in meeting, he
found freedom thus to open the matter, in the
way of querying concerning friends in our parts :
whereupon I told him the state of friends amongst
us, as well as I was able ; and also, that I had, for
some time, been under the like scruple. I believed
him to be one who was concerned to walk up
rightly before the Lord ; and esteemed it my
duty to preserve this note concerning him, Samuel
Newby.

From hence I went back into Virginia, and had
a meeting near James Cowpknd s ; it was a time
of inward suffering; but, through the goodness of
the Lord, I was made content; then to another
meeting; where, through the renewings of pure love,
we had a very comfortable season.

85

Travel ling- "up and down of late, I have had re
newed evidences, that to be faithful to the Lord,
and content with his will concerning me/ is a most
necessary and useful lesson for me to be learning ;
looking less at the effects of my labour,, than at the
pure motion and reality of the concern, as it arises
from heavenly love. In the Lord Jehovah is ever
lasting strength ; and as the mind,, by a humble
resignation,, is united to Him,, and we utter words
from an inward knowledge that they arise from the
heavenly spring, though our way may be difficult.,
and require close attention to keep in it; and
though the manner in which we may be led, may
tend to our own abasement; yet, if we continue in
patience and meekness, heavenly peace is the re
ward of our labours.

From thence I went to Curies meeting; which,
though small, was reviving to the honest-hearted.
Thence to Black Creek and Caroline meetings ;
from whence, accompanied by William Standley,
before mentioned, we rode to Goose Creek, being-
much through the woods, and about one hundred
miles. We lodged, the first night, at a public-
house ; the second, in the woods ; and the next
day, we reached a friend s house, at Goose Creek.
In the woods we lay under some disadvantage,
having no fire-works nor bells for our horses ; but
we stopped a little before night, and let them feed
on the wild grass which was plentiful ; in the mean
time cuttin" with our knives a store against iiiirfH.

O O o *

and then tied them ; and gathering some bushes
under an oak, we lay down ; but the musquetoes

86

being numerous and the ground damp, I slept but
little. Thus lying in the wilderness,, and looking
at the stars, I was led to contemplate on the con
dition of our first parents,, when they were sent
forth from the garden ; but the Almighty, though
they had been disobedient, continued to be a father
to them; and showed them what tended to their
felicity as intelligent creatures, and was acceptable
to Him. To provide things relative to our outward
living, in the way of true wisdom, is good ; and the
gift of improving in things useful, is a good gift,
and comes from the Father of lights. Many have
had this gift ; and, from age to age, there have
been improvements of this kind made in the world,
But some not keeping to the pure gift, have, in the
creaturely cunning and self-exaltation, sought out
many inventions; which inventions of men, as dis
tinct from that uprightness in which man was cre
ated, as the first motion to them was evil, so the
effects have been and are evil. At this day, it is
as necessary for us constantly to attend ou the
heavenly gift, to be qualified to use rightly the
good things in this life amidst great improvements,
as it was for our first parents, when they were with
out any improvements, without any friend or father
but God only.

I was at a meeting at Goose Creek ; and next at
a monthly meeting at Fairfax ; where, through the
gracious dealing of the Almighty with us, his power
prevailed over many hearts. Thence to Mono-
quacy and Pipe Creek., in Maryland ; at both which
places I had cause humbly to adore Him, who sup-

87

ported me through many exercises., and by whose
help I was enabled to reach the true witness in the
hearts of others. There were some hopeful young
people in those parts. Thence I had meetings at
John Event s in Monalen, and at Huntingdon ; and
I was made humbly thankful to the Lord, who
opened my heart amongst the people in these new
settlements, so that it was a time of encouragement
to the honest-minded.

At Monalen, a friend gave me some account of
a religious society among the Dutch, called Men-
nonists; and, amongst other things, related a pas
sage in substance as follows : One of the Men-
nonists having acquaintance with a man of another
society at a considerable distance,, and being with
his waggon on business near the house of his said
acquaintance, and night coining on, he had thoughts
of putting up with him ; but passing by his fields,
and observing the distressed appearance of his
slaves, he kindled a fire in the woods hard by, and
lay there that night. His said acquaintance hearing
where he lodged, and, afterwards meeting the
Mennonist, told him of it; adding, he should have
been heartily welcome at his house; and from their
acquaintance in former time, wondered at his con
duct in that case: the Mennonist replied, ever since
I lodged by thy field, I have wanted an opportunity
to speak with thee. The matter was ; I intended
to have come to thy house for entertainment, but
seeing thy slaves at their work, and observing the
manner of their dress, I had no liking to corne to
partake with thee ; then admonished him to use

88

them with more humanity ; and added, as I lay by
the fire that night., I thought that as I was a man of
substance, thon wonldst have received me freely ;
but if 1 had been as poor as one of thy slaves, and
had no power to help myself, 1 should have received
from thy hand no kinder usage than they.

Hence 1 was at three meetings in my way ; and
so I went home, under a humbling sense of the
gracious dealings of the Lord with me, in preserving
me through many trials and afflictions in my jour
ney. I was out about two mouths,, and travelled
about eleven hundred and iifty miles.

89

CHAP- V.

Considerations on the payment of a tax, laid for
carrying on the war against the Indians. Some
notes on Thomas a Kempis and John Huss.
Meetings of the committee of the yearly meeting
at Philadelphia. The present circumstances of

friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very
different from those of our predecessors. The
draughting of the militia in New Jersey to serve in
the army ; with some observations on the state of
the members of our society at that time. His visit
to friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Ben-

jamin Jones. Proceedings at the monthly, quar
terly, and yearly ?neetings 3 in Philadelphia, re
specting those who keep slaves.

A FEW years past,, money being made current in
our province for carrying on wars,, arid to be called
in again by taxes laid on the inhabitants, my mind
was often affected with the thoughts of paying such
taxes; and I believe it right for me to preserve a
memorandum concerning it. I was told,, that friends
in England frequently paid taxes., when the money
was applied to such purposes. I had conversation
with several noted friends on the subject, who all
favoured the payment of such taxes; some of whom
I preferred before myself, and this made me easier
for a time, yet there was in the deeps of my- mind,

90

a scruple which I never could get over; and, at
certain times,, I was greatly distressed on that ac
count.

I all along believed that there were some upright-
hearted men., who paid such taxes ; but could not
see that their example was a sufficient reason for
me to do so,, while I believed that the spirit of truth
required of me., as an individual, to suffer patiently
the distress of goods, rather than pay actively.

I have been informed that Thomas a Kempis lived
and died in the profession of the Roman Catholic
religion ; and in reading his writings, I have be
lieved him to be a man of a true Christian spirit ;
as fully so, as many who died martyrs because
they could not join with some superstitions in that
church.

All true Christians are of the same spirit, but
their gifts are diverse; Jesus Christ appointing to
each one his peculiar office, agreeable to his infi
nite wisdom.

John Huss contended against the errors crept
into the church, in opposition to the council of
Constance; which the historian reports to have
consisted of some thousand persons. He modestly
vindicated the cause which he believed was right;
and though his language and conduct towards his
judges appear to have been respectful, yet he never
could be moved from the principles settled in his
mind. To use his own words; " This I most
humbly require and desire of you all, even for his
sake who is the God of us all, that I be not com
pelled to the thing which my conscience doth re-

91

pugn or strive against." And again, in his answer
to the emperor ; " I refuse nothing, most noble em
peror, whatsoever the council shall decree or deter
mine upon me, only this one thing I except, that I
do not offend God and my conscience/ Fox s
Acts and Monuments,, page 233. At length, rather
than act contrary to that which he believed the
Lord required of him, he chose to suffer death by
fire. Thomas a Keinpis, without disputing against
the articles then generally agreed to, appears to have
laboured, by a pious example as well as by preach
ing and writing, to promote virtue, and the inward
spiritual religion : and I believe they were both
sincere-hearted followers of Christ.

True charity is an excellent virtue ; and sincerely
to labour for their good, whose belief, in all points,
doth not agree with ours, is a happy state. To
refuse the active payment of a tax which our society
generally paid was exceedingly disagreeable ; but
to do a thing contrary to my conscience, appeared
yet more dreadful. When this exercise came upon
me, I knew of none under the like difficulty ; and,
in my distress, I besought the Lord to enable me to
give up all, that so I might follow Him wheresoever
He was pleased to lead rne. And under this exer
cise I went to our yearly meeting at Philadelphia,
in the year 1755; at which a committee was ap
pointed of some from each quarter, to correspond
with the meeting for sufferings in London ; and
another to visit our monthly and quarterly meetings ;
and after their appointment, before the last adjourn-,
meat of the meeting, it was agreed in the meeting,

92

that these two committees should meet together in
friends school-house in the city,, at a time then con
cluded on, to consider some things in which the
cause of truth was concerned ; and these committees
meeting together,, had a weighty conference in the
fear of the Lord ; at which time, I perceived,, there
were many friends under a scruple like that before-
mentioned.*

As scrupling to pay a tax on account of the appli
cation,, hath seldom been heard of heretofore, even
amongst men of integrity, who have steadily borne
their testimony against outward wars in their time ;
I may here note some things which have occurred
to my mind, as I have been inwardly exercised on
that account. From the steady opposition which
faithful friends, in early times, made to wrong things
then approved of, they were hated and persecuted
by men living in the spirit of this world ; and suf
fering with firmness, they were made a blessing to
the church, and the work prospered. It equally
concerns men, in every age, to take heed to their
own spirit : and in comparing their situation with
ours, it looks to me there was less danger of their
being infected with the spirit of this world, in pay
ing such taxes, than there is of us now. They had
little or no share in civil government; and many or
them declared they were, through the power of
God, separated from the spirit in which wars were ;
and being afflicted by the rulers on account of their

* Christians refused to pay taxes to support heathen temples.
See Primitive Christianity, part III, page 327.

93

testimony., there was less likelihood of uniting in
spirit with them in things inconsistent with the
purity of truth. We, from the first settlement of
this land,, have known little or no troubles of that
sort. Their profession, for a time, was accounted
reproachful ; hut, at length,, the uprightness of our
predecessors being understood by the rulers, and
their innocent sufferings moving them, our way of
worship was tolerated ; and many of our members
in these colonies became active in civil government.
Being thus tried with favour and prosperity, this
world hath appeared inviting; our minds have been
turned to the improvement of our country, to mer
chandize and sciences, amongst which are many
things useful, being followed in pure wisdom ; but
in our present condition, that a carnal mind is
gaining upon us, I believe will not be denied.
Some of our members, who are officers in civil
government, are, in one case or other, called upon
in their respective stations to assist in things rela
tive to the wars. Such being in doubt whether to
act, or crave to be excused from their office, seeing
their brethren united in the payment of a tax to
carry on the said wars, might think their case not
much different, and so quench the tender movings
of the Holy Spirit in their minds ; and thus, by
small degrees, there might be an approach towards
that of fighting, till we came so near it, as that the
distinction would be little else, but the name of a
peaceable people.

It requires great self-denial and resignation of
ourselves to God, to attain that state wherein we

94

can freely cease from fighting 1 when wrongfully in
vaded ; if, by our fighting, there were a probability
of overcoming the invaders. Whoever rightly attains
to it, does in some degree feel that, spirit, in which
our Redeemer gave his life for us ; and through
divine goodness, many of our predecessors,, and
many now living, have learned this blessed lesson ;
but many others, having their religion chiefly by
education, and riot being enough acquainted with
that cross which crucifies to the world, do manifest a
temper distinguishable from that of an entire trust
in God. In calmly considering these things, it hath
not appeared strange to me, that an exercise hath
now fallen upon some, which, as to the outward
means of it, is different from what was known to
many of those who went before us.

Some time after the yearly meeting, a clay being
appointed, and letters written to distant members,
the said committees met at Philadelphia ; and, by
adjournments, continued several days. The calami
ties of war were now increasing ; the frontier in
habitants of Pennsylvania were frequently sur
prised, some slain, and many taken captive by the
Indians ; and while these committees sat, the corpse
of one so slain was brought in a waggon, and
taken through the streets of the city, in his bloody
garments, to alarm the people, and rouse them up
to war.

Friends thus met were not all of one mind in
relation to the tax ; which, to such who scrupled it,
made the way more difficult. To refuse an active
payment at such a time, might be construed an act

95

of disloyalty, and appeared likely to displease the
rulers, not only here but in England; still there was
a scruple so fastened upon the rninds of many
friends, that nothing moved it. It was a conference
the most weighty that ever I was at ; and the
hearts of many were bowed in reverence before the
Most High. Some friends of the said committees
who appeared easy to pay the tax, after several
adjournments, withdrew; others of them continued
till the last ; at length, an epistle of tender love and
caution, to friends in Pennsylvania, was drawn up by
some friends concerned, on that subject; and being
read several times and corrected, was then signed
by such of them as were free to sign it, and after
ward sent to the monthly and quarterly meetings.

On the ninth day of the eighth month, in the year
1757, at night, orders came to the military officers
in our county (Burlington), directing them to draft
the militia, and prepare a number of men to go off
as soldiers, to the relief of the English at fort
William Henry, in New York government ; a few
days after which, there was a general review of the
militia at Mount Holly, and a number of men
chosen and sent off under some officers. Shortly
after, there came orders to draught three times as
many, to hold themselves in readiness to march
when fresh orders came. And, on the seventeenth
day of the eighth month, there was a meeting of the
military officers at Mount Holly, who agreed on a
draught ; and orders were sent to the men so
chosen, to meet their respective captains at set
times and places ; those in our township to meet at

96

Mount Holly; amongst whom were a considerable
number of our society. My mind being* affected
herewith, I had fresh opportunity to see and con
sider the advantage of living in the real substance
of religion,, where practice doth harmonize with
principle. Amongst the officers are men of under
standing, who have some regard to sincerity where
they see it ; and in the execution of their office,
when they have men to deal with whom they be
lieve to be upright hearted, to put them to trouble
on account of scruples of conscience, is a painful
task, and likely to be avoided as much as easily
maybe. But where men profess to be so meek and
heavenly-minded, and to have their trust so firmly
settled in God, that they cannot join in wars; and
yet, by their spirit and conduct in common life,
manifest a contrary disposition, their difficulties are
great at such a time.

Officers in great anxiety endeavouring to get
troops to answer the demands of their superiors,
seeing men, who are insincere, pretend scruple of
conscience, in hopes of being excused from a dan
gerous employment, they are likely to be roughly
handled. In this time of commotion some of our
young men left the parts, and tarried abroad till it
was over ; some came, and proposed to go as sol
diers ; others appeared to have a real tender scruple
in their minds against joining in wars, and were
much humbled under the apprehension of a trial
so near. I had conversation with several of them
to my satisfaction. At the set time when the
captain came to town, some of those last mentioned

97

went and told him in substance as follows : That
they could not bear arms for conscience sake ; nor
could they hire any to go in their places,, being re
signed as to the event of it. At length the captain
acquainted them all, that they might return home
for the present, and required them to provide them
selves as soldiers, and to be in readiness to march
\vhen called upo > This was such a time as I had
not seen before ; and yet I may say, with thank
fulness to the Lord, that I believed this trial was
intended for our good ; and I was favoured with
resignation to Him. The French army taking the
fort they were besieging, destroyed it and went
away ; the company of men first draughted, after
some days march, had orders to return home ; and
those on the second draught, were no more called
upon on that occasion.

On the fourth day of the fourth month, in the
year 1758, orders came to some officers,, in Mount
Holly, to prepare quarters, a short time, for about
one hundred soldiers. And an officer arid two
other men, all inhabitants of our town, came to my
house ; and the officer told me, that he came to
speak with me, to provide lodging and entertain
ment for two soldiers, there being six shillings a
week per man allowed as pay for it. The case
being new and unexpected, I made no answer
suddenly ; but sat a time silent, my mind being
inward. I was fully convinced, that the proceed
ings in wars are inconsistent with the purity of the
Christian religion ; and to be hired to entertain,
men, who were then under pay as soldiers, was a

98

difficulty with me. I expected they had legal
authority for what they did ; and, after a short time,
I said to the officer,, if the men are sent here for
entertainment,, I believe I shall not refuse to admit
them into my house; but the nature of the case is
such, that I expect I cannot keep them on hire :
one of the men intimated, that he thought I might
do it consistent with my religious principles. To
which I made no reply ; as believing silence, at
that time, best for me. Though they spake of two,
there came only one, who tarried at my house
about two weeks, and behaved himself civilly ; and
when the officer came to pay me, I told him I could
not take pay for it, having admitted him into my
house in a passive obedience to authority. I was
on horseback when he spake to me ; and as I
turned from him, he said, he was obliged to me ;
to which I said nothing: but thinking on the ex
pression, I grew uneasy ; and, afterwards, being
near where he lived, I went and told him on
what grounds I refused taking pay for keeping the
soldier.

Near the beginning of the year 1758, I went one
evening, in company with a friend, to visit a sick
person ; and before our return, we were told of a
woman living near, who of late, had several days
been disconsolate, occasioned by a dream; wherein
death, and the judgments of the Almighty after
death, were represented to her mind in a moving
manner. Her sadness on that account, being worn
off; the friend, with whom I was in company, wew.t
to see her, and had some religious conversation

99

with her and her husband. With this visit they were
somewhat affected ; and the man, with many tears.,
expressed his satisfaction ; arid, in a short time after,,
the poor man being on the river in a storm of wind,
he, with one more, was drowned.

In the eighth month of the year 1758, having had
drawings in my mind to be at the quarterly meet
ing in Chester county, and at some meetings in
the county of Philadelphia, I went first to said
quarterly meeting, which was large ; and several
weighty matters came under consideration and
debate ; and the Lord was pleased to qualify some

of his servants with strength and firmness, to bear

o *

the burden of the day. Though I said but little, my
mind was deeply exercised ; and, under a sense of
God s love, in the anointing and fitting some young
men for his work, I was comforted, and my heart
was tendered before Him. From hence I went
to the youth s meeting at Darby, where my be
loved friend and brother Benjamin Jones met me,
by an appointment before I left home, to join
in the visit. And we were at Radnor, Merion,
Richland, North Wales, Plymouth, and Abington
meetings ; and had cause to bow iri reverence
before the Lord, our gracious God, by whose help
way was opened for us from day to day. I was
out about two weeks, and rode about two hundred
miles.

The monthly meeting of Philadelphia having
been under a concern, on account of some friends,
who this summer (1758) had bought negro slaves :

G 2

100

the said meeting moved it to their quarterly meet
ing, to have their minute reconsidered in the
yearly meeting, which was made last on that sub
ject ; and the said quarterly meeting appointed a
committee to consider it,, and to report to their
next : which committee having met once and ad
journed., and I going to Philadelphia to meet, a
committee of the yearly meeting, was in town the
evening on which the quarterly meeting s com
mittee met the second time; and finding an in
clination to sit with them, was, with some others,
admitted ; and friends had a weighty conference
on the subject. Soon after their next quarterly
meeting, I heard that the case was coming to our
yearly meeting ; which brought a weighty exer
cise upon me,, and under a sense of my own in
firmities, and the great danger I felt of turning
aside from perfect purity., my mind was often drawn
to retire alone, and put up rny prayers to* the Lord,
that He would be graciously pleased to strengthen
rne ; that setting aside all views of self-interest and
the friendship of this world, I might stand fully re
signed to his holy will.

In this yearly meeting, several weighty matters
were considered ; and toward the last, that in re
lation to dealing with persons who purchase slaves.
During the several sittings of the said meeting, my
mind was frequently covered with inward prayer;
and I could say with David, <f that tears were rny
meat day and night/ The case of slave-keeping
lay heavy upon rne; nor did I find any engagement

101

to speak directly to any other matter before the
meeting. Now when this case was opened, several
faithful friends spake weightily thereto, with which
I was comforted ; and feeling- a concern to cast in
my mite,, I said,, in substance,, as follows :

" In the difficulties attending us in this life,
nothing is more precious than the mind of truth
inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest desire,
that in this weighty matter, we may be so truly
humbled as to be favoured with a clear understand
ing of the mind of truth,, and follow it; this would
be of more advantage to the society, than any
medium not in the clearness of divine wisdom.
The case is difficult to some who have them ; but
if such set aside all self-interest, and come to be
Aveaned from the desire of getting estates, or even
from holding them together, when truth requires the
contrary, I believe way will open that they will know
how to steer through those difficulties."

Many friends appeared to be deeply bowed
under the weight of the work ; and manifested
much firmness in their love to the cause of truth,
and universal righteousness on the earth. And
though none did openly justify the practice of
slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared con
cerned, lest the meeting should go into such mea
sures, as might give uneasiness to many brethren ;
alledging, that if friends patiently continued under
the exercise, the Lord, in time to come, might open
a way for the deliverance of these people ; and I
finding an engagement to speak, said, " My mind

102

is often led to consider the purity of the Divine
Being, and the justice of his judgments ; and
herein my soul is covered with awfulness. I can
not omit to hint of some cases, where people have
not been treated with the purity of justice, and the
event hath been lamentable. Many slaves on this
continent are oppressed, and their cries have
reached the ears of the Most High. Such are the
purity and certainty of his judgments, that He can
not be partial in our favour. In infinite love and
goodness, He hath opened our understandings from
one time to another, concerning our duty towards
this people; and it is not a time for delay. Should
we now be sensible of what He requires of us, and
through a respect to the private interest of some
persons, or through a regard to some friendships
which do not stand on an immutable foundation,
neglect to do our duty in firmness and constancy,
still waiting for some extraordinary means to bring
about their deliverance ; it may be by terrible
things in righteousness, God may answer us in this
matter/

Many faithful brethren laboured with great
firmness ; and the love of truth, in a good degree,
prevailed. Several friends, who had negroes, ex
pressed their desire that a rule might be made, to
deal with such friends as oilenders who bought
slaves in future. To this it was answered, that
the root of this evil would never be effectually
struck at, until a thorough search was made into
the circumstances of such friends as kept negroes,

103

with respect to the righteousness of their motives
in keeping them, that impartial justice might be
administered throughout. Several friends expressed
their desire, that a visit might be made to such
friends as kept slaves : and many friends said,
that they believed liberty was the negroes right ; to
which,, at length,, no opposition was made publicly.
A minute was made more full on that subject, than
any heretofore ; and the names of several friends
entered, who were free to join in a visit to such as
kept slaves.

104

CHAP. VI.

His visiting the quarterly meetings in Chester
county; and afterwards joining with Daniel
Stanton and John Scarborough, in a visit to such
as kept slaves there. Some observations on the
conduct such should maintain who are concerned
to speak in meetings for discipline. Several more
visits to such as kept slaves ; and to friends near
Salem. Some account of the yearly meeting in
the year 1759,, and of the increasing concern in
divers provinces, to labour against buying and
keeping slaves. The yearly meeting epistle.
His thoughts on the small-pox spreading and on
inoculation.

ON the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in
the year 1758, I set out for Concord ; the quarterly
meeting heretofore held there, was now,, by reason
of a great increase of members, divided into two by
the agreement of friends, at our last yearly meeting.
Here I met with our beloved friends Samuel
Spavold and Mary Kirby from England, and with
Joseph White from Bucks county, who had taken
leave of his family in order to go on a religious
visit to friends in England ; and, through divine
goodness, we were favoured with a strengthening
opportunity together.

105

After this meeting,, 1 joined with my friends Daniel
Stanton and John Scarborough, in visiting friends
who had slaves ; and at night we had a family
meeting at William Trimble s, many young people
being there ; and it was a precious, reviving oppor-
tuaity. Next morning we had a comfortable sitting
with a sick neighbour ; and thence to the burial of
the corpse of a friend at Uwchland meeting, at which
were many people, and it was a time of divine
favour, after which, we visited some who had slaves;
and, at night, had a family meeting at a friend s
house, where the channel of gospel love was opened,
and my mind was comforted after a hard day s
labour. The next day we were at Goshen monthly
meeting; and thence, on the eighteenth day of the
eleventh month, in the year 1758, attended the
quarterly meeting at London Grove, it being the
first held at that place. Here we met again with
all the before-mentioned friends, and had some
edifying meetings. And near the conclusion of the
meeting for business, friends were incited to con
stancy in supporting the testimony of truth, and re
minded of the necessity which the disciples of Christ
are under to attend principally to his business, as
he is pleased to open it to us ; and to be particularly
careful to have our minds redeemed from the love
of wealth; to have our outward affairs in as little
room as may be ; that no temporal concerns may
entangle our affections, or hinder us from diligently
following the dictates of truth, in labouring to pro
mote the pure spirit of meekness and heaven ly-
mindedness amongst the children of men, in these

100

days of calamity arid distress, wherein God is visit
ing our land with his just judgments.

Each of these quarterly meetings was large, and
sat near eight hours. Here I had occasion to con
sider, that it is a weighty thing to speak much in
large meetings for business : for, except our minds
are rightly prepared,, and we clearly understand the
case we speak to, instead of forwarding, we hinder
business, and make more labour for those on whom
the burden of the work is laid.

If selfish views, or a partial spirit, have any room
in our minds, we are unfit for the Lord s work ; if
we have a clear prospect of the business, and proper
weight on our minds to speak, it behoves us to avoid
useless apologies and repetitions. Where people
are gathered from far, arid adjourning a meeting of
business is attended with great difficulty, it behoves
all to be cautious how they detain a meeting ;
especially when they have sat six or seven hours,
and have a great distance to ride home. After this
meeting I rode home.

In the beginning of the twelfth month of the year
1758, I joined in company with my friends John
Sykes and Daniel Stan ton in visiting such as had
slaves. Some, whose hearts were rightly exercised
about them, appeared to be glad of our visit; but
in some places our way was more difficult ; and I
often saw the necessity of keeping down to that root
from whence our concern proceeded ; and have
cause, in reverent thankfulness, humbly to bow
down before the Lord, who was near to me, and
preserved my mind in calmness under some sharp

107

conflicts, and begat a spirit of sympathy and tender
ness in me, towards some who were grievously en
tangled by the spirit of this world.

In the first month of the year 1759, having found
my mind drawn to visit some of the more active
members in our society at Philadelphia, who had
slaves, I met my friend John Churchman there by
an agreement ; and we continued about a week in
the city. We visited some that were sick, and
some widows and their families ; and the other part
of our time was mostly employed in visiting such
who had slaves. It was a time of deep exercise,
looking often to the Lord for his assistance ; who,
in unspeakable kindness, favoured us with the in
fluence of that spirit, which crucifies to the great
ness and splendour of this world, and enabled us to
go through some heavy labours, in which we found
peace.

On the twenty-fourth day of the third month, of
this year, I was at our general spring meeting at
Philadelphia. After which, I again joined with
John Churchman on a visit to some more, who had
slaves in Philadelphia ; and, with thankfulness to
our heavenly Father, 1 may say, that divine love
and a true sympathizing tenderness of heart, pre
vailed at times iri this service.

Having, at times, perceived a shyness in some
friends of considerable note, towards me, I found an
engagement in gospel love to pay a visit to one of
them ; and as I dwelt under the exercise, I felt a,
resignedness in my mind to go. So I went, ancj
told him in private, I hud a desire to 1m ve an

108

opportunity with him alone ; to which he readily
agreed : and then, in the fear of the Lord, thing s
relating to that shyness were searched to the bot
tom ; and we had a large conference,, which, I be
lieve,, was of use to both of us; and am thankful
that way was opened for it.

On the fourteenth day of the sixth month, in the
same year, having felt drawings in my mind to visit
friends about Salem, and having the approbation of
our monthly meeting therein, I attended their quar
terly meeting, and was out seven days, and at seven
meetings ; in some of which I was chiefly silent, and
in others, through the baptizing power of truth, my
heart was enlarged in heavenly love, and found a
near fellowship with the brethren and sisters, in the
manifold trials attending their Christian progress
through this world.

In the seventh month, I found an increasing con
cern on my mind to visit some active members in
our society who had slaves ; and having no oppor
tunity of the company of such as were named in
the minutes of the yearly meeting, I went alone to
their houses, and, in the fear of the Lord, acquainted
them with the exercise I was under : and thus,
sometimes, by a few words, I found myself dis
charged from a heavy burden.

After this, our friend John Churchman coming
into our province with a view to be at some meet
ings, and to join again in the visit to those who
had slaves ; I bore him company in the said visit
to some active members, and found inward satis
faction.

109

At our yearly meeting hi the year J759, we had
some weighty seasons ; where the power of truth
was largely extended, to the strengthening of the
honest-minded. As friends read over the epistles,
to be sent to the yearly meetings along this conti
nent,, I observed in most of them, both this year
and last, it was recommended to friends to labour
against buying and keeping slaves ; and in some of
them closely treated upon. As this practice hath
long been a heavy exercise to me, and I have often
waded through mortifying labours on that account ;
and, at times, in some meetings been almost alone
therein ; now observing the increasing concern in
our religious society, and seeing how the Lord was
raising up and qualifying servants for his work, not
only in this respect, but for promoting the cause of
truth in general, I was humbly bowed in thankful
ness before Him. This meeting continued near a
week : and, for several days, in the forepart of it,
my rnind was drawn into a deep, inward stillness ;
and being, at times, covered with the spirit of
supplication, my heart was secretly poured out be
fore the Lord. And near the conclusion of the
meeting for business, way openeu, that, in the pure
flowings of divine love, 1 expressed what lay upon
me; which, as it then arose in my mind, was
ef first to show how deep answers to deep in the
hearts of the sincere and upright; though, in their
different growths, they may not all have attained to
the same clearness in some points relating to our
testimony. And I was led to mention the integrity
and constancy of many martyrs, who gave their

110

lives for the testimony of Jesus: and yet, in some
points, held doctrines distinguishable from some
which we hold ; and that, in all ages where people
were faithful to the light and understanding which
the Most High afforded them, they found acceptance
with Him ; and that now, though there are different
ways of thinking amongst us in some particulars, yet,
if we mutually kept to that spirit and power which
crucifies to the world, which teaches us to be content
with things really needful and to avoid all super
fluities, giving up our hearts to fear and serve the
Lord, true unity may still be preserved amongst us.
And that if such,- who were, at times, under suffer
ings on account of some scruples of conscience,
kept low and humble, and in their conduct in life
manifested a spirit of true charity ; it would be more
likely to reach the witness in others, and be of more
service in the church, than if their sufferings were
attended with a contrary spirit and conduct/ In
which exercise I was drawn into a sympathizing
tenderness with the sheep of Christ, however distin
guished one from another in this world ; and the
like disposition appeared to spread over others in
the meeting. Great is the goodness of the Lord to
wards his poor creatures.

An epistle went forth from this yearly-meeting,
which I think good to give a place in this journal ;
being as follows :

Ill

From the yearly meeting held at Philadelphia, for
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the twenty-
second day of the ninth month, to the twenty-
eighth day of the same, inclusive, 1759.

To the quarterly and monthly meetings of friends
belonging to the said yearly meeting.

Dearly beloved friends and brethren,

ec IN an awful sense of the wisdom and goodness of
the Lord our God, whose tender mercies have long
been continued to us in this land, we affectionately
salute you, with sincere and ferv 7 ent desires, that
we may reverently regard the dispensations of his
providence, and improve under them.

" The empires and kingdoms of the earth are
subject to his Almighty power. He is the God of
the spirits of all flesh ; and deals with his people
agreeable to that wisdom, the depth whereof is to
us unsearchable. We, in these provinces may say,
He hath, as a gracious and tender parent, dealt
bountifully with us, even from the days of our fa
thers. It was lie who strengthened them to labour
through the difficulties attending the improvement
of a wilderness, and made way for them in the
hearts of the natives ; so that by them they were
comforted in times of want and distress. It was
by the gracious influences of his Holy Spirit, that
they were disposed to work righteousness, and walk
uprightly one towards another, and towards the
natives, and in life and conversation to manifest

112

the excellency of the principles and doctrines of
the Christian religion ; and thereby they retain
their esteem and friendship. Whilst they were la
bouring for the necessaries of life, many of them
were fervently engaged to promote piety and virtue
in the earth, and educate their children in the fear
of the Lord.

ff If we carefully consider the peaceable measures
pursued in the first settlement of the land, and that
freedom from the desolations of wars, which for a
longtime we enjoyed, we shall find ourselves under
strong obligations to the Almighty, who, when the
earth is so generally polluted with wickedness, gave
us a being in a part so signally favoured with tran
quillity and plenty, and in which the glad tidings
of the gospel of Christ are so freely published,
that we may justly say with the psalmist, fc What
shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits ?"

" Our own real good, and the good of our pos
terity in some measure depends on the part we act ;
and it nearly concerns us to try our foundations
impartially. Such are the different rewards of the
just and unjust in a future state, that to attend
diligently to the dictates of the spirit of Christ, to
devote ourselves to his service, and engage fer
vently in his cause, during our short stay in this
world, is a choice well becoming a free intelligent
creature. We shall thus clearly see and consider
that the dealings of God with mankind in a na
tional capacity, as recorded in holy writ, do suffi
ciently evidence the truth of that saying, " It is
righteousness which exalteth a nation ;" and though

113

he cloth not at all times suddenly execute his judg
ments on a sinful people in this life., yet we see by
many instances, that where Cf men follow lying
vanities,, they forsake their own mercies ;" and as
a proud selfish spirit prevails and spreads among a
people,, so partial judgment, oppression, discord,
envy and confusions increase., and provinces and
kingdoms are made to drink the cup of adversity
as a reward of their own doings. Thus the in
spired prophet, reasoning with the degenerated
Jews, saith, c< Thine own wickedness shall correct
thee, and thy backslid ings shall reprove thee : know
therefore, that it is an evil thing and bitter, that
thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my
fear is not in thee., saith the Lord God of Hosts."
Jer. ii. 19.

" The God of our fathers who hath bestowed on
us many benefits, furnished a table for us in the
wilderness, and made the deserts and solitary
places to rejoice ; He doth now mercifully call upon
us to serve Him more faithfully We may truly say
with the prophet, " It is his voice which crieth to
the city, and men of wisdom see his name. They
regard the rod, and Him who hath appointed it."
People who look chiefly at things outward, too
little consider the original cause of the present
troubles ; but such who fear the Lord, and think
often upon his name, they see and feel that a wrong
spirit is spreading amongst the inhabitants of our
country ; that the hearts of many are waxed fat,
and their ears dull of hearing; that the Most High,
in his visitations to us, instead of calling, lifteth

H

114

up his voice and crieth ; He crieth to our country,
and his voice waxeth louder and louder. In former
wars between the English and other nations, since
the settlement of our provinces, the calamities at
tending- them have fallen chiefly on other places,
but now of late they have reached to our borders ;
many of our fellow subjects have suffered on and
near our frontiers, some have been slain in battle,
some killed in their houses, and some in their fields,
some wounded and left in great misery, and others
separated from their wives and little children, who
have been carried captives among the Indians. We
have seen men and women who have been witnesses
of these scenes of sorrow, arid being reduced to
want, have come to our houses asking relief. It
is not long since it was the case of many young
men in one of these provinces to be draughted, in
order to be taken as soldiers ; some were at that
time in great distress, and had occasion to consider
that their lives had been too little conformable to
the purity and spirituality of that religion which we
profess, and found themselves too little acquainted
with that inward humility, in which true fortitude
to endure hardness for the truth s sake is experien
ced. Many parents were concerned for their chil
dren, and in that time of trial were led to consider
that their care to get outward treasure for them,
had been greater than their care for their settle
ment in that religion which crucifieth to the world,
and enableth to bear a clear testimony to the peace
able government of the Messiah. These troubles
are removed, and for a time we are released from
them.

115

" Let us not forget that The Most High hath
his way in the deep, in clouds arid in thick dark
ness that it is his voice which crieth to the city
and to the country ; and oh ! that these loud and
awakening cries, may have a proper effect upon us,
that heavier chastisement may not become neces
sary ! For, though things, as to the outward, may
for a short time, afford a pleasing prospect ; yet,
while a selfish spirit, that is not subject to the cross
of Christ, continueth to spread and prevail, there
can be no long continuance in outward peace and
tranquillity. If we desire an inheritance incorrup
tible, and to be at rest in that state of peace and
happiness, which ever continues ; if we desire in
this life to dwell under the favour and protection of
that Almighty Being, whose habitation is in holi
ness, whose ways are all equal, and whose anger is
now kindled, because of our backslidings ; let us
then awfully regard these beginnings of his sore
judgments, and with abasement and humiliation
turn to Him, whom we have offended.

" Contending with one equal in strength, is an
uneasy exercise ; but if the Lord is become our
enemy, if we persist to contend with Him who is
Omnipotent, our overthrow will be unavoidable.

<c Do we feel an affectionate regard to posterity;
and are we employed to promote their happiness?
Do our minds, in things outward, look beyond our
own dissolution ; and are we contriving for the
prosperity of our children after us? Let us then,
like wise builders, lay the foundation deep ; and
by our constant uniform regard to an inward piety

and virtue, let them see that we really value it.
Let us labour in the fear of the Lord, that their
innocent minds, while young and tender, may be
preserved from corruptions ; that as they advance
in age, they may rightly understand their true in
terest, may consider the uncertainty of temporal
things, and, above all, have their hope and confi
dence firmly settled in the blessing of that Al
mighty Being, who inhabits eternity, and preserves
and supports the world.

" In all our cares about worldly treasures, let us
steadily bear in mind, that riches possessed by
children, who do not truly serve God, are likely to
prove snares that may more grievously entangle
them in that spirit of selfishness and exaltation,
which stands in opposition to real peace and hap
piness ; and renders those, enemies to the cross of
Christ, who submit to the influence of it.

cc To keep a watchful eye towards real objects of
charity, to visit the poor in their lonesome dwelling-
places, to comfort them who, through the dispensa
tions of Divine Providence, are in strait and pain
ful circumstances in this life, and steadily to en
deavour to honour God with our substance, from a
real sense of the love of Christ influencing our
minds thereto, is more likely to bring a blessing to
our children, arid will afford more satisfaction to a
Christian favoured with plenty, than an earnest
desire to collect much wealth to leave behind us,
for, fc here we have no continuing city ;" may we
therefore diligently cc seek one that is to come.,
whose builder and maker is God."

m

(( Finally, brethren, whatsoever thing s arc true,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report ; if there be any virtue,
if there be any praise, think on these things and do
them, and the God of peace shall be with you/

Signed by appointment, and on behalf of our
said. meeting, by seven friends.

On the twenty-eighth day of the eleventh month,
in the year 1759, I was at the quarterly-meeting in
Bucks county. This day being the meeting of
ministers and elders, my heart was enlarged in the
love of Jesus Christ ; and the favour of the Most
High was extended to us in that and the ensuing
meeting.

I had conversation, at my lodging, with my be
loved friend Samuel Eastburn ; who expressed a
concern to join in a visit to some friends, in that
county, who had negroes ; and as I had felt a
draught in my mind to that work in the said
county, I came home and put things in order. On
the eleventh day of the twelfth month following I
went over the river ; and on the next day was at
Buckingham meeting; where, through the descend-
ings of heavenly dew, my mind was comforted, and
drawn into a near unity with the flock of Jesus
Christ.

Entering upon this visit appeared weighty : and
before I left home my mind \vas often sad ; under
which exercise I felt, at times, the Holy Spirit which
helps our infirmities ; through which, in private,

us

my prayers were, at times, put up to God, that He
would be pleased to purge me from all selfishness,
that I might be strengthened to discharge my duty
faithfully, how hard soever to the natural part. We
proceeded on the visit in a weighty frame of spirit,
and went to the houses of the most active members,
throughout the county, who had negroes ; and,
through the goodness of the Lord, my mind was
preserved in resignation in times of trial, and though
the work was hard to nature, yet through the
strength of that love which is stronger than death,,
tenderness of heart was often felt amongst us in
our visits, and we parted from several families with
greater satisfaction than we expected.

We visited Joseph White s family, he being in
England ; had also a family-sitting at the house of
an elder who bore us company, and was at Make-
field on a first day. At all which times, my heart was
truly thankful to the Lord, who was graciously
pleased to renew his loving kindness to us, his poor
servants, uniting us together in his work.

In the winter of this year, the small-pox being
in our town, and many being inoculated, of whom
a few died, some things were opened in my mind,
which I wrote as follow :

The more fully our lives are conformable to the
will of God, the better it is for us I have looked
on the small-pox as a messenger from the Almighty,
to be an assistant in the cause of virtue, and to in
cite us to consider whether we employ our time
only in such things as are consistent with perfect
wisdom and goodness.

119

Building houses suitable to dwell in, for ourselves
and our creatures ; preparing clothing suitable for
the climate and season,, and food convenient, are
all duties incumbent on us. And under these ge
neral heads, are many branches of business, in
which we may venture health and life, as necessity
may require.

This disease being in a house, and my business
calling me to go near it, it incites me to think,
whether this business is a real, indispensable, duty ;
whether it is not in conformity to some custom,
which would be better laid aside ; or, whether it
does not proceed from too eager a pursuit after
some outward treasure. If the business before me
springs not from a clear understanding, and a re
gard to that use of things which perfect wisdom
approves; to be brought to a sense of it, and stop
ped in my pursuit, is a kindness ; for when I pro
ceed to business without some evidence of duty, I
have found, by experience, that it tends to weak
ness.

If I am so situated that there appears no pro
bability of missing the infection, it tends to make
me think, whether my manner of life, in things out
ward, has nothing in it which may unfit my body
to receive this messenger in a way the most favour
able to me. Do I use food and drink in no other
sort, and in no other degree, than was designed by
Him, who gave these creatures for our sustenance ?
Do I never abuse my body by inordinate labour,
striving to accomplish some end which I have un
wisely proposed? Do I use action enough in some

120

useful employ I Or, do I sit too much idle, while
some persons,, who labour to support me, have too
great a share of it? If, in any of these things, I am
deficient,, to be incited to consider it, is a favour to
me.

There is employ necessary in social life ; and this
infection, which often proves mortal, incites me to
think, whether these social acts of mine are real
duties. If I go on a visit to the widows and father
less, do I go purely on a principle of charity, free
from any selfish views ? If I go to a religious meet
ing, it puts me on thinking, whether I go in sin
cerity and in a clear sense of duty ; or whether it is
not partly in conformity to custom, or partly from
a sensible delight which my animal spirits feel in
the company of other people ; and whether to sup
port my reputation as a religious man, has no share
in it.

Do affairs, relating to civil society, call me near
this infection? If I go, it is at the hazard of my
health and life ; and it becomes me to think se
riously, whether love to truth, and righteousness is
the motive of my attending ; whether the manner of
proceeding, is altogether equitable; or whether
aught of narrowness, party interest, respect to out
ward dignities, names, or distinctions among men,
do not stain the beauty of those assemblies, and
render it doubtful, in point of duty, whether a dis
ciple of Christ ought to attend as a member united
to the body or not.

Whenever there are blemishes, w r hich, for a series
of time, remain such; that which is a means of

m

stirring us up to look attentively on these blemishes,,
and to labour according to our capacities, to have
health and soundness restored in our country, we
may justly account a kindness from our gracious
Father, who appointed that means.

The care of a wise and good man for his only
son, is inferior to the regard of the great Parent of
the universe for his creatures. He hath the com
mand of all the powers and operations in nature;
and " doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the
children of men." Chastisement is intended for in
struction, and instruction being received- by gentle
chastisement, greater calamities are prevented.

By an earthquake, hundreds of houses are some
times shaken down in a few minutes, and multitudes
of people perish suddenly; and many more being
crushed and bruised in the ruins of the buildings,
pine away and die in great misery.

By the breaking in of enraged merciless armies,
flourishing countries have been laid waste, and
great numbers of people perished in a short time,
and many more pressed with poverty and grief.

By the pestilence, people have died so fast in a
city, that through fear, grief, and confusion, those in
health have found great difficulty in burying the
dead, even without coffins.

By famine, great numbers of people in some
places, have been brought to the utmost distress,
and pined away for want of the necessaries of life.
Thus, where the kind invitations,, and gentle chas
tisements, of a gracious God hath not been attended

122

to, his sore judgments have, at times, been poured
out upon people.

While some rules, approved in civil society, and
conformable to human policy, so called, are distin
guishable from the purity of truth and righteous
ness; while many professing truth are declining
from that ardent love and heavenly-rnindedness,
\vhich was amongst the primitive followers of Jesus
Christ ; it is a time for us to attend diligently to the
intent of every chastisement, and consider the most
deep and inward design of them.

The most High doth not often speak with an out-
Avard voice to our outward ears; but, if we humbly
meditate on his perfections, consider that He is per
fect wisdom and goodness, and to afflict his crea
tures to no purpose,, would be utterly reverse to his
nature, we shall hear and understand his language,
both in his gentle arid more heavy chastisements ;
and take heed that we do not, in the wisdom of this
world, endeavour to escape his hand by means too
powerful for us.

Had He endowed men with understanding to
hinder the force of this disease, by innocent means^
which had never proved mortal nor hurtful to our
bodies, such discovery might be considered as the
period of chastisement by this distemper, where that
knowledge extended. But as life and health are his
gifts, and not to be disposed of in our own wills, to
take upon us, when in health, a distemper, of which
some die, requires great clearness of knowledge,
that it is our duty to do so.

123

CHAP. VII.

His visit, in company with Samuel Eastburn, to
Long Island, Rhode Island, Boston, fyc. in New
England. Remarks on the slave trade at New
port, and his exercise on that account; also on
lotteries. Some observations on the island of
Nantucket.

HAVING, for some time past, felt a sympathy in
my mind with friends eastward, I opened my con
cern in our monthly meeting; and, obtaining a
certificate, set forward on the seventeenth day of the
fourth month, in the year 1760, joining in company,
by a previous agreement, with my beloved friend
Samuel Eastburn. We had meetings at Wood-
bridge, Rahaway, and Plain field ; and were at their
monthly meeting of ministers and elders in Rah
away. We laboured under some discouragement ;
but, through the invisible power of truth, our visit
was made reviving to the lowly-minded, with whom
I felt a near unity of spirit, being much reduced in
my mind. We passed on, and visiled chief of the
meetings on Long Island. It was my concern, from
day to day, to say no more nor less than what the
spirit of truth opened in me, being jealous over
myself, lest I should speak any thing to make
my testimony look agreeable to that mind in peo~-

pie, which is not in pure obedience to the cross of
Christ.

The spring of the ministry was often low ; and,,
through the subjecting power of truth, we were
kept low with it ; and from place to place, such
whose hearts were truly concerned for the cause of
Christ, appeared to be comforted in our labours ;
and, though it was in general a time of abasement
of the creature, yet, through his goodness, who is
a helper of the poor, we had some truly edifying
seasons both in meetings, and in families where we
tarried ; and sometimes found strength to labour
earnestly with the unfaithful, especially with those,
whose station in families, or in the society was such,
that their example had a powerful tendency to open
the way for others to go aside from the purity and
soundness of the blessed truth. At Jericho, on
Long Island, I wrote home as follows :

24*/z of the kth month, 1760.

" Dearly beloved wife,

" WE are favoured with health ; have been at
sundry meetings in East Jersey, and on this island.
My mind hath been much in an inward, watchful
frame, since I left thee, greatly desiring that our
proceedings may be singly in the will of our hea
venly Father.

ff As the present appearance of things is not
joyous, I have been much shut up from outward
chearfulness, remembering that promise, fc Then
shalt Ihou delight thyself in the Lord :" as this,

125

from day to day, has been revived in my memory,, I
have considered that his internal presence on our
minds,, is a delight of all ethers the most pure ; and
that the honest-hearted not only delight in this, but
in the effect of it upon them. He who regards the
helpless and distressed., and reveals his love to his
children under affliction, they delight in beholding
his benevolence,, and feeling divine charity moving
upon them. Of this I may speak a little; for
though since I left you, I have often found an en
gaging love and affection towards thee and my
daughter., and friends about home,, that going out
at this time, when sickness is so great amongst you,
is a trial upon me ; yet 1 often remember there are
many widows and fatherless, many who have poor
tutors, many who have evil examples before them,
and many whose minds are in captivity, for whose
sake my heart is, at times, moved with compassion;
that 1 feel my mind resigned to leave you for a sea
son, to exercise that gift which the Lord hath be
stowed on me ; which, though small, compared
with some, yet in this I rejoice, that I feel love un
feigned towards my fellow creatures. I recommend
you to the Almighty, who I trust cares for you; and
under a sense of his heavenly love, remain,

ff Thy loving husband,

i( J. W.
We crossed from the east end of Long Island to
New London, about thirty miles, in a large open
boat ; while we were out, the wind rising high, the
waves several times beat over us, that to me it

appeared dangerous; but my mind was, at that
time, turned to Him, who made and governs the
deep, and my life was resigned to Him : and as He
was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh
occasion to consider every day, as a day lent to me ;
and felt a renewed engagement to devote my time,
and all I had, to Him who gave it.

We had five meetings in Narraganset ; and went
thence to Newport on Rhode Island. Our gracious
Father preserved us in an humble dependence on
him through deep exercises, that were mortifying to
the creaturely will. In several families in the
country, where we lodged, I felt an engagement on
my mind to have a conference with them in private,
concerning their slaves ; and, through divine aid, I
was favoured to give up thereto. Though in this
concern, I appear singular from many, whose ser
vice in travelling, i believe, is greater than mine ;
I do not think hard of them for omitting it; I do not
repine at having so unpleasant a task assigned me,
but look with awfulness to Him, who appoints to
his servants their respective employments, and is
good to all who serve Him sincerely.

We got to Newport in the evening ; and on the
next day visited two sick persons, and had comfort
able sittings with them ; and in the afternoon at
tended the burial of a friend.

The next day we were at meetings at Newport, in
the forenoon and afternoon ; where the spring of the
ministry was opened, and strength given to declare
the Word of Life to the people.

1:27

The next day we went on our journey ; but the
great number of slaves in these parts, and the con
tinuance of that trade from thence to Guinea., made
deep impression on me ; and my cries were often
put up to my heavenly Father in secret, that He
would enable me to discharge my duty faithfully,
in such way as He might be pleased to point out
to me.

We took Swansea, Freetown,, and Tanton, in our
way to Boston ; where also we had a meeting ; our
exercise was deep, and the love of truth prevailed,
for which I bless the Lord.

We went eastward about eighty miles beyond
Boston, taking meetings, and were in a good degree
preserved in an humble dependence on that arm
which drew us out ; and, though we had some hard
labour with the disobedient, laying things home and
close to such as were stout against the truth ; yet,
through the goodness of God, we had, at times, to
partake of heavenly comfort with those who were
meek, and were often favoured to part with friends
in the nearness of true gospel fellowship. We re
turned to Boston, and had another comfortable op
portunity with friends there ; and thence rode back
a day s journey eastward of Boston. Our guide
being a heavy man, and the weather hot, and ray
companion and I considering it, expressed our free
dom to go on without him, to which he consented,
and we respectfully took our leave of him ; this we
did, as believing the journey would have been hard
to him and his horse.

128

We visited the meetings iu those parts, and were
^measurably baptized into a feeling- of the state of
the society ; and in bowedness of spirit went to the
yearly meeting at Newport ; where I understood
that a large number of slaves was imported from
Africa into that town, and then on sale by a mem
ber of our society. At this meeting we met with
John Storer from England, Elizabeth Shipley, Ann
Gaunt, Hannah Foster, and Mercy Redman, from
our parts, all ministers of the gospel, of whose com
pany I was glad.

At this time my appetite failed, and I grew out
wardly weak, and had a feeling of the condition of
Habakkuk, as there expressed. tf When I heard,
my belly trembled, my lips quivered, I trembled in
myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble:" I
had many cogitations, and was sorely distressed.
And was desirous that friends might petition the
legislature, to use their endeavours to discourage
the future importation of slaves ; for I saw that this
trade was a great evil, and tended to multiply
troubles, and bring distresses on the people in those
parts, for whose welfare my heart was deeply con
cerned.

But I perceived several difficulties in regard to
petitioning; and such was the exercise of my mind,
that I had thought of endeavouring to get an op
portunity to speak a few words in the House of As
sembly, then sitting in town.

This exercise came upon me in the afternoon, on
the second day of the yearly meeting, and going to

129

bed, I got no sleep till my mind was wholly resigned
therein; and in the morning I enquired of a friend
how long the Assembly was likely to continue
sitting; who told me, it was expected to be pro
rogued that day or the next.

As I was desirous to attend the business of the
meeting, and perceived the Assembly were likely
to depart before the business was over ; after con
siderable exercise, humbly seeking to the Lord for
instruction, my mind settled to attend on the busi
ness of the meeting ; on the last day of which,
I had prepared a short essay of a petition to be pre
sented to the legislature, if way opened. And being
informed that there were some appointed, by that
yearly meeting, to speak with those in authority, in
cases relating to the society, I opened my mind to
several of them, and shewed them the essay I had
made ; and afterwards opened the case in the meet
ing for business, in substance as follows :

(C I have been under a concern for some time, on
account of the great number of slaves which are
imported into this colony ; I am aware that it is a
tender point to speak to, but apprehend I am not
clear in the sight of heaven, without speaking to it.
I have prepared an essay of a petition, if way open,
to be presented to the legislature ; and what I have
to propose to this meeting is, that some friends may
be named to withdraw and look over it, and report
whether they believe it suitable to be read in the
meeting. If they should think well of reading it,
it will remain for the meeting, after hearing it, to
consider, whether to take any further notice of it,

i

130

as a meeting or not." After a short conference
some friends went out, and looking over it, ex^
pressed their willingness to have it read ; which
being done, many expressed their unity with the
proposal ; and some signified, that to have the
subjects of the petition enlarged upon,, and to be
signed out of meeting by such as were free, would
be more suitable than to do it there. Though I
expected at first, that if it was done it would be in
that way ; yet such was the exercise of my mind,,
that to move it in the hearing of friends when as
sembled, appeared to me as a duty ; for my heart
yearned towards the inhabitants of these parts ;
believing that by this trade there had been an in
crease of incjuietude amongst them, and a way
made easy for the spreading of a spirit opposite to
that meekness and humility, which is a sure resting
place for the soul. And that the continuance of
this trade, would not only render their healing more
difficult, but increase their malady.

Having thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave
the essay amongst friends, for them to proceed in
it as they believed best. And now an exercise
revived on my mind in relation to lotteries, which
were common in those parts. I had once moved
it in a former sitting of this meeting, when argu
ments were used in favour of friends being held
excused, who were only concerned in such lotteries
as w r ere agreeable to law. And now on moving
it again, it was opposed as before ; but the hearts
of some solid friends appeared to be united to
discourage the practice amongst their members;

131

and the matter was zealously handled by some on
both sides. In this debate it appeared very clear
to me, that the spirit of lotteries was a spirit of
selfishness, which tended to confusion and dark
ness of understanding ; and that pleading for it in
our meetings, set apart for the Lord s work, was
not right ; and in the heat of zeal, I once made
reply to what an ancient friend said, which when
I sat down, I saw that my words were not enough
seasoned with charity ; and after this, I spoke no
more on the subject. At length a minute was
made ; a copy of which was agreed to be sent to
their several quarterly meetings, inciting friends to
labour to discourage the practice amongst all pro
fessing with us.

Some time after this minute was made, I re
maining uneasy with the manner of my speaking
to the ancient friend, could not see my way clear
to conceal my uneasiness, but was concerned that
I might say nothing to weaken the cause in which
I had laboured ; and then, after some close
exercise and hearty repentance, for that I had not
attended closely to the safe guide, I stood up, arid
reciting the passage, acquainted friends, that
though 1 dare not go from what I had said as
to the matter, yet I was uneasy with the manner
of my speaking, as believing milder language
would have been better. As this was uttered
in some degree of creaturely abasement, it ap
peared to have a good savor amongst us, after a
warm debate.

isa

The yearly meeting being now over, there yet
remained on my mind a secret, though heavy
exercise, in regard to some leading active members
about Newport, being in the practice of slave-
keeping. This I mentioned to two ancient friends,
who came out of the country, and proposed to
them, if way opened, to have some conversation
with those friends. And thereupon, one of those
country friends and I, consulted one of the most
noted elders who had slaves ; arid he, in a respect
ful manner, encouraged me to proceed to clear
myself of what lay upon me. Now I had, near the
beginning of the yearly meeting, a private con
ference with this said elder and his wife, concerning
theirs ; so that the way seemed clear to me, to
advise with him about the manner of proceeding.
I told him, I was free to have a conference with
them all together in a private house ; or if he
thought they would take it unkind to be asked to
come together, and to be spoken with in the hear
ing of one another, I was free to spend some time
among them, and visit them all in their own houses,
lie expressed his liking to the first proposal, not
doubting their willingness to come together; and
as I proposed a visit to only ministers, elders, and
overseers ; he named some others, whom he de
sired might be present also. And as a careful
messenger was wanted to acquaint them in a pro
per manner, he offered to go to all their houses to
open the matter to them ; and did so. About the
eighth hour the next morning, we met in the

133

meeting-house chamber, and the last-mentioned
country friend, also my companion, and John
Storer, with us, when, after a short time of retire
ment, 1 acquainted them with the steps I had taken
in procuring that meeting, and opened the concern
I was under, and so we proceeded to a free con
ference upon the subject. My exercise was heavy,
and I was deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord>
who was pleased to favour with the seasoning
virtue of truth, which wrought a tenderness amongst
us ; and the subject was mutually handled in a
calm and peaceable spirit. And, at length, feel
ing my mind released from that burden which I
had been under, I took my leave of them, in a
good degree of satisfaction ; and by the tender
ness they manifested in regard to the practice,
and the concern several of them expressed in
relation to the manner of disposing of their negroes
after their decease, I believed that a good exer
cise was spreading amongst them ; and I am
humbly thankful to God, who supported my mind,
and preserved rne in a good degree of resignation
through these trials.

Thou, who sometimes travellest in the work of
the ministry, and art made very welcome by thy
friends, seest many tokens of their satisfaction, in
having thee for their guest. It is good for thee to
dwell deep, that thou mayest feel and understand
the spirits of people. It we believe truth points
towards a conference on some subjects, in a private
way, it is needful for us to take heed that their
kindness, their freedom and affability, do not hinder

us from the Lord s work. I have seen, that in the
midst of kindness and smooth conduct,, to speak
close and home to them who entertain us, on
points that relate to their outward interest, is hard
labour; and sometimes, when I have felt truth lead
towards it, I have found myself disqualified by a
superficial friendship ; and as the sense thereof
hath abased me, and my cries have been to the
Lord, so I have been humbled and made content
to appear weak, or as a fool for his sake ; and thus
a door hath opened to enter upon it. To attempt
to do the Lord s work in our own way, and to
speak of that which is the burden of the word, in a
way easy to the natural part, doth not reach the
bottom of the disorder. To see the failings of our
friends, and think hard of them, without opening
that which we ought to open, and still carry a face
of friendship, this tends to undermine the foundation
of true unity.

The office of a minister of Christ is weighty.
And they who now go forth as watchmen, had need
to be steadily on their guard against the snares of
prosperity, and an outside friendship.

After the yearly meeting, we were at meetings
at Newtown, Cushaet, Long Plain, Rochester, and
Dartmouth. From thence we sailed for Nautucket,
in company with Ann Gaunt, Mercy Redman, and
several other friends. The wind being slack, we
only reached Tarpawling Cove the first day ;
where, going on shore, we found room in a public-
house, and beds for a few of us, the rest sleeping
on the floor. We went on board again about

135

break of day ; and though the wind was small, we
were favoured to corue within about four miles of
Nantucket ; and then about ten of us getting into
our boat, we rowed to the harbour before dark ;
whereupon a large boat going off, brought in the
rest of the passengers about midnight. The next
day but one was their yearly meeting, which held
four days ; the last of which was their monthly
meeting for business. We had a laborious time
amongst them ; our minds were closely exercised,
and I believe it was a time of great searching of
heart. The longer I was on the island, the more I
became sensible that there was a considerable num
ber of valuable friends there, though an evil spirit,
tending to strife, had been at work amongst them.
I was cautious of making any visits, but as my
in hid was particularly drawn to them ; and in that
way we had some sittings in friends houses, where
the heavenly wing was, at times, spread over us, to
our mutual comfort.

My beloved companion had very acceptable ser
vice on this island.

When meeting was over, we all agreed to sail
the next day, if the weather was suitable and we
well ; and being called up the latter part of the
night, we went on b^ard a vessel, being in all
about tifty ; but the wind changing, the seamen
thought best to stay in the harbour till it altered ;
so we returned on shore. And feeling clear as to
any further visits, I spent my time in our chamber
chiefly alone ; and after some hours, my heart
being iilled with the spirit of supplication, rny

136

prayers and tears were poured out before my
heavenly Father, for his help and instruction in
the manifold difficulties which attended me in life.
And while I was waiting* upon the Lord, there came
a messenger from the women friends, who lodged
at another house, desiring to confer with us about
appointing a meeting, which to me appeared
weighty, as we had been at so many before ; but
after a short conference, and advising with some
elderly friends, a meeting was appointed, in which
the friend, who first moved it, and who had been
much shut up before, was largely opened in the love
of the gospel : and the next morning, about break
of day, going again on board the vessel, we reached
Falmouth on the Main before night, where our
horses being brought, we proceeded towards Sand
wich quarterly meeting.

Being two days in going to Nantucket, and
having been there once before, I observed many
shoals in their bay, which make sailing more dan
gerous, especially in stormy nights ; also, that a
great shoal, which encloses their harbour, prevents
their going in with sloops, except when the tide is
up ; waiting without which, for the rising of the
tide, is sometimes hazardous in storms : waiting
within, they sometimes miss a fair wind. I took
notice, that on that small island was a great num
ber of inhabitants, and the soil not very fertile ;
the timber so gone, that for vessels, fences, and
firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying from
the Main ; the cost whereof, with most of their
other expenses, they depend principally upon the

137

whale fishery to answer. I considered,, that as
towns grew larger,, and lands near navigable
waters more cleared, timber and wood would re
quire more labour to get it. I understood that
the whales being much hunted, and sometimes
wounded and not killed, grew more shy and diffi
cult to come at. I considered that the formation
of the earth, the seas, the islands, bays, and rivers,
the motions of the winds, and great waters, which
cause bars and shoals in particular places, were all
the works of Him who is perfect wisdom and good
ness ; and as people attend to his heavenly in
struction, and put their trust in Him, He provides
for them in all parts, where He gives them a being.
And as in this visit to these people, I felt a strong
desire for their firm establishment on the sure
foundation ; besides what was said more publicly,
I was concerned to speak with the women friends,
in their monthly meeting of business, many being
present ; and in the fresh spring of pure love, to
open before them the advantage, both inward and
outward, of attending singly to the pure guidance
of the Holy Spirit, and therein to educate their
children in true humility, and the disuse of all
superfluities, reminding (hem of the difficulties
their husbands and sons were frequently exposed
to at sea; and that the more plain and simple their
way of living was, the less need of running great
hazards to support them in it; encouraging the
young women in their neat decent way of attend
ing themselves on the affairs of the house ; shewing*,
as the way opened; that where people were "truly

138

humble, used themselves to business, and were
content with a plain way of life,, that it had ever
been attended with more true peace and calmness
of mind,, than they have had, who, aspiring to
greatness and outward show, have grasped hard
for an income to support themselves in it. And
as I observed, they had few or no slaves amongst
them, I had to encourage them to be content
without them ; making mention of the numerous
troubles and vexations, which frequently attended
the minds of people, who depend on slaves to do
their labour.

We attended the quarterly meeting at Sand
wich, in company with Ann Gaunt and Mercy
Redman, which was preceded by a monthly meet
ing; and in the whole held three days. We were
various ways exercised amongst them,, in gospel-
love, according to the several gifts bestowed on us;
and were, at times overshadowed with the virtue
of truth, to the comfort of the sincere, and stirring
up of the negligent. Here we parted with Ann
and Mercy, and went to Rhode Island, taking one
meeting in our way, which was a satisfactory time;
and reaching Newport the evening before their
quarterly meeting, we attended it ; and after that,
had a meeting with our young people, separated
from those cf other societies. We went through
much labour in this town ; and now, in taking
leave of it, though I felt close inward exercise to
the last, 1 found inward peace ; and was in some
degree comforted, in a belief, that a good number
remain in that place, who retain a sense of truth ;

139

and,, that there are some young people attentive
to the voice of the heavenly Shepherd. The last
meeting,, in which friends from the several parts of
the quarter came together, was a select meeting ;
and through the renewed manifestation of the
Father s love, the hearts of the sincere were united
together.

The poverty of spirit and inward weakness, with
which I was much tried the forepart of this journey,
has of late appeared to me as a dispensation of
kindness. Appointing meetings, never appeared
more weighty to me ; and 1 was led into a deep
search, whether in all things my mind was resigned
to the will of God ; often querying with myself,
what should be the cause of such inward poverty ;
and greatly desired, that no secret reserve in my
heart might hinder my access to the divine foun
tain. In these humbling times I was made watchful,
and excited to attend to the secret movings of the
heavenly principle in my mind, which prepared the
way to some duties, that in more easy and prosper
ous times as to the outward, I believe I should have,
been in danger of omitting.

From Newport we went to Greenwich, Shariticut,
and Warwick ; and were helped to labour amongst
friends in the love of our gracious Redeemer.
And then, accompanied by our friend John Casey
from Newport, we rode through Connecticut to
Oblong, visited the meetings of friends in those
parts, and thence proceeded to the quarterly meet^
ing at Ryewoods; and, through the gracious ex-
tendings of divine help, had some seasoning oppor*

140

tunities in those places. So we visited friends at
New York and Flushing ; and thence to Rahaway.
Here our roads parting, I took leave of my
beloved companion and true yokemate Samuel
Eastburn ; and reached home on the tenth day of
the eighth month, 1760,, where I found my family
well. And for the favours and protection of the
Lord, both inward and outward, extended to me in
this journey, my heart is humbled in grateful ac
knowledgments ; and I find renewed desires to dwell
and walk in resignedness before Him.

141

CHAP* VIII.

His visits to Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury and Squan.
His publishing the second part of his Consi
derations on keeping Negroes. The grounds of
his appearing in some respects singular in his
dress. His visiting the families of friends of
Ancocas and Mount Holly meetings. His visits
to the Indians at Wehaloosing on the river Sus-
quchannah.

HAVING felt my mind drawn toward a visit to a
few meetings in Pennsylvania,, I was very desirous
to be rightly instructed as to the time of setting off.
And on the tenth day of the fifth month, 1761, being
the first day of the week, I went to Haddonfield
meeting, concluding to seek for heavenly instruc
tion, and come home or go on, as I might then be
lieve best for me ; and there through the springing
up of pure love, I felt encouragement, and so crossed
the river. . In this visit I was at two quarterly and
three monthly meetings; and, in the love of truth,
felt my way open to labour with some noted friends,
who kept negroes. And as I was favoured to keep
to the root, and endeavour to discharge what I
believed was required of me, I found inward peace
therein, from time to time ; and thankfulness of
heart to the Lord, who was graciously pleased to be
a guide to me.

14*2

In the eighth month, 1761, having felt drawings
in my mind to visit friends in and about Shrews
bury ; I went there,, and was at their monthly meet
ing, and their first-day meeting; and had a meeting
at Squan, and another at Squanquam ; and, as
way opened, had conversation with some noted
friends concerning their slaves. And I returned
home in a thankful sense of the goodness of the
Lord.

From the care I felt growing in me some years,
I wrote Considerations on keeping Negroes, part
the second ; which was printed this year, 1762.
When the overseers of the press had done wiih it,
they offered to get a number printed, to be paid for
out of the yearly meeting stock, and to be given
away ; but I being most easy to publish them at
my own expense, and offering my reasons, they ap
peared satisfied.

This stock is the contribution of the members of
our religious society in general ; amongst whom are
some who keep negroes, and being inclined to con
tinue them in slavery, are not likely to be satisfied
with those books being spread amongst a people
where many of the slaves are taught to read, and
especially not at their expense ; and such, often re
ceiving them as a gift, conceal them. But as they
who make a purchase, generally buy that which
they have a mind for, I believed it best to sell
them ; expecting, by that means, they would more
generally be read with attention. Advertisements
being signed by order of the overseers of the press,
directed to be read in monthly meetings of business

143

i

within our own yearly meeting, informing where
the books were,, and that the price was no more
than the cost of printing and binding them; many
were taken off in our parts ; some I sent to Virginia,
some to New York, and some to Newport,, to my
acquaintance there, and some I kept,, expecting to
give part of them away,, where there appeared a
prospect of service.

In my youth I was used to hard labour; and
though I was middling healthy, yet my nature was
not fitted to endure so much as many others. That
being often weary, I was prepared to sympathize
with those whose circumstances in life, as free men,
required constant labour to answer the demands of
their creditors ; and with others under oppression.
In the uneasiness of body, which I have many times
felt by too much labour, not as a forced but a
voluntary oppression,, I have often been excited to
think on the original cause of that oppression,
which i s imposed on many in the world. And the
latter part of the time wherein I laboured on our
plantation, my heart, through the fresh visitations
of heavenly love, being often tender ; and my leisure
time frequently spent in reading the life and doc
trines of our blessed Redeemer, the account of the
sufferings of martyrs, and the history of the first rise
of our society ; a belief was gradually settled in
my mind, that if such as had great estates, gene
rally lived in that humility and plainness which
belong to a Christian life, and laid much easier
rents and interests on their lands and monies, and
thus led the way to a right use of things, so great a

144

f

number of people might be employed in things use
ful, that labour both for men and other creatures
would need to be no more than an agreeable em
ploy ; and divers branches of business, which serve
chiefly to please the natural inclinations of our minds,
and which,, at present, seem necessary to circulate
that wealth which some gather, might, in this way
of pure wisdom, be discontinued. And as I have
thus considered these things, a query, at times, hath
arisen. Do I, in all my proceedings, keep to that
use of things which is agreeable to universal
righteousness ? And then there hath some degree
of sadness, at times, come over me ; for that I ac
customed myself to some things, which occasioned
more labour than I believe divine wisdom intends
for us.

Prorn my early acquaintance with truth, I have
often felt an inward distress, occasioned by the
striving of a spirit in me, against the operation of
the heavenly principle; and in this circumstance
have been affected with a sense of rny own wretch
edness, and in a mourning condition felt earnest
longing for that divine help, which brings the soul
into true liberty ; and sometimes in this state, re
tiring into private places, the spirit of supplication
hath been given me ; and under an heavenly cover
ing, I have asked my gracious Father, to give me
a heart in all things resigned to the direction of his
wisdom, and in uttering language like this, the
thoughts of my wearing hats and garments dyed
with a dye hurtful to them, have made lasting im
pressions on me.

145

In visiting people of note in the society who ha4
slaves, and labouring with them in brotherly love
on that account,, I have seen, and the sight has af
fected me, that a conformity to some customs, dis
tinguishable from pure wisdom, has entangled,
many ; and the desire of gain to support these cus
toms, greatly opposed the work of truth. And some*
times when the prospect of the work before me has
been such, that in bowedness of spirit, I have
been drawn into retired places, and besought the
Lord with tears that he would take me wholly
under his direction, and show me the way in which
I ought to walk ; it hath revived with strength of
conviction, that if I would be his faithful servant, I
must in all things attend to his wisdonr, and be
teachable ; and so cease from all customs contrary
thereto, however used amongst religious people.

As He is the perfection of power, of wisdom, and
of goodness ; so I believe, he hath provided, that
so much labour shall be necessary for men s sup
port in this world, as would, being rightly divided,
be a suitable employment of their time ; and that
we cannot go into superfluities, or grasp after wealth
in a way contrary to his wisdom, without having
connexion with some degree of oppression, and
with that spirit which leads to self-exaltation and
strife, and which frequently brings calamities on
countries, by parties contending about their claims.

Being thus fully convinced, and feeling an in
creasing desire to live in the spirit of peace ; being
often sorrowfully affected with thinking on the un
quiet spirit in which wars are generally carried on,

146

and with the miseries of many of my fellow crea
tures engaged therein; some suddenly destroyed ;
some wounded, and after much pain remaining crip
ples ; some deprived of all their outward substance,
and reduced to want; and some carried into capti
vity : thinking often on these things, the use of
hats and garments dyed with a dye hurtful to them,
and wearing more clothes in summer than are use
ful, grew more uneasy to me ; believing them to be
customs which have not their foundation in pure
wisdom. The apprehension of being singular from
my beloved friends, was a strait upon me ; and thus
I remained in the use of some things contrary to
my judgment.

On the thirty-first day of the fifth month, 1761, I
was taken ill of a fever ; and, after having it near a
week, 1 was in great distress of body : and one day
there was a cry raised in me,, that I might under
stand the cause why I was afflicted, and improve
under it : and my conformity to some customs,
which I believed were not right, was brought to my
remembrance ; and in the continuance of the exer
cise, I felt all the powers in me yield themselves up
into the hands of Him who gave me being ; and
was made thankful, that He had taken hold of me by
his chastisement; feeling the necessity of further
purifying, there was now no desire in me for health,
until the design of my correction was answered ;
and thus I lay in abasement and brokenness of
spirit, and as 1 felt a sinking down into a calm re
signation, so I felt, as in an instant, an inward heal
ing* in my nature ; and from that time forward I
grew better.

147

Though I was thus settled in mind in relation to
hurtful dyes, I felt easy to wear my garments here
tofore made ; and so continued about nine months*
Then I thought of getting a hat the natural colour
of the fur ; but the apprehension of being looked
upon as one affecting singularity,, felt uneasy to me:
and here I had occasion to consider, that things,
though small in themselves, being clearly enjoined
by divine authority, become great things to us;
and I trusted that the Lord would support me in
the trials that might attend singularity, while that
singularity was only for his sake. On this account,
I was under close exercise of mind in the time of
our general spring meeting 1762, greatly desiring
to be rightly directed ; when being deeply bowed
in spirit before the Lord, I was made willing to
submit to what I apprehended was required of me ;
and when I returned home, got a hat of the natural
colour of the fur.

In attending meetings, this singularity was a trial
upon me, and more especially at this time, white
hats being used by some who were fond of follow
ing the changeable modes of dress ; and as some
friends, who knew not on what motives I wore it,
carried shy of me, I felt my way for a time shut up
in the exercise of the ministry. In this condi
tion, my mind being turned toward my heavenly
Father, with fervent cries that I might be preserved
to walk before Him in the meekness of wisdom, my
heart was often tender in meetings ; and I felt an
inward consolation, which to me was very precious
under those difficulties.

148

I had several dyed garments fit for use, which I
believed it best to wear,, till I had occasion for new
ones : and some friends were apprehensive, that my
wearing such a hat savoured of an affected singu
larity : and such who spake with me in a friendly
way, I generally informed in a few words, that I
believed my wearing it, was not in my own will, I
had, at times, been sensible, that a superficial friend
ship had been dangerous to me ; and many friends
being now uneasy with me, I had an inclination to
acquaint some with the manner of my being led
into these things; yet, upon a deeper thought, I
was for a time most easy to omit it, believing the
present dispensation was profitable ; and trusting,
that if I kept my place, the Lord in his own time
would open the hearts of friends "toward me : since
which, I have had cause to admire his goodness and
loving kindness, in leading about and instructing,
and opening and enlarging my heart in some of our
meetings.

In the eleventh month of the year 1762, feeling
an engagement of mind to visit some families in
Mansfield, I joined my beloved friend Benjamin
Jones, and we spent a few days together in that
service. In the second month, 1763, I joined in
company with Elizabeth Smith and Mary Noble,
on a visit to the families of friends at Ancocas ; in
both which visits, through the baptizing power of
truth, the sincere labourers were often comforted,
and the hearts of friends opened to receive us. And
in the fourth month following, I accompanied some
friends in a visit to the families of friends in Mount

T49

Holly ; in which my mind was often drawn into an
inward awfulness, wherein strong desires were raised
for the everlasting welfare of my fellow-creatures ;
and, through the kindness of our heavenly Father,
our hearts were, at times enlarged, and friends in
vited, in the flowings of divine love, to attend to that
which would settle them on the sure foundation.

Having many years felt love in my heart towards
the natives of this land, who dwell far back in the
wilderness, whose ancestors were the owners and
possessors of the land where we dwell ; and who,
for a small consideration, assigned their inheritance
to us : and being at Philadelphia in the eighth
month, 1761, on a visit to some friends who had
slaves, I fell in company with some of those natives
who lived on the east branch of the river Susque-
hannah, at an Indian town called Wehaloosing, two
hundred miles from Philadelphia ; and in conver
sation with them by an interpreter, as also by ob?-
servations on their countenances and conduct, I
believed some of them were measurably acquainted
with that divine power which subjects the rough
and fro ward will of the creature. At times, I
felt inward drawings toward a visit to that place of
which I told none except my dear wife, until it
came to some ripeness, and then in the winter of
1762, I laid it before friends at our monthly and
quarterly, and afterwards at our general spring
meeting ; and having the unity of friends, and
being thoughtful about an Indian pilot, there came
a man and three women from a little beyond that
town to Philadelphia on business : and I being in*

150

formed thereof by letter, met them in town in the
fifth month, 1763; and after some conversation,
finding they were sober people, I, by the concur
rence of friends in that place, agreed to join with
them as companions in their return ; and on the
seventh day of the sixth month following, we ap
pointed to meet at Samuel Foulk s, at Ri?hland in
Bucks county. Now as this visit felt weighty, and
was performed at a time when travelling appeared
perilous, so the dispensations of Divine Providence,
in preparing my mind for it, have been memorable ;
and I believe it good for me to give some hints
thereof.

After I had given up to go, the thoughts of the
journey were often attended with unusual sad
ness ; in which times, my heart was frequently
turned to the Lord with inward breathings for his
heavenly support, that I might not fail to follow
him wheresoever He might lead me : and being at
our youth s meeting at Chesterfield, about a week
before the time I expected to set off, was there led
to speak on that prayer of our Redeemer to his Fa
ther : " I pray not that thou shouldest take them
out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them
from the evil/ And in attending to the pure open
ings of truth, had to mention what He elsewhere
said to his Father ; ec I know that thou nearest me
at all times :" so that, as some of his followers kept
their places, and as his prayer was granted, it fol
lowed necessarily that they were kept from evil :
and as some of those met with great hardships and
afflictions in this world, and at last suffered death

151

by cruel men ; it appears, that whatsoever befalls
men while they live in pure obedience to God, as it
certainly works for their good, so it may not be
considered an evil as it relates to them. As I spake
on this subject, rny heart was much tendered, and
great awfulness came over me ; and then, on the
first day of the next week, being at our own after
noon meeting, and my heart being enlarged in love,
I was led to speak on the care and protection of
the Lord over his people, and to make mention of
that passage where a band of Assyrians endeavour
ing to take captive the prophet, were disappointed;
and how the psalmist said, (C the angel of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear Him/ and
thus, in true love and tenderness, I parted from
friends, expecting the next morning to proceed on.
my journey ; and being weary went early to bed.
After I had been asleep a short time, I was
awoke by a man calling at my door ; and aris
ing, was invited to meet some friends at a public-
house in our town, who came from Philadelphia
so late, that friends were generally gone to bed.
These friends informed me, that an express arrived
the last morning from Pittsburg, and brought news
that the Indians had taken a fort from the English
westward, and had slain and scalped English people
in divers places, some near the said Pittsburg ; and
that some elderly friends in Philadelphia, knowing
the time of my expecting to set off, had conferred
together, and thought good to inform me of these
things, before I left home, that I might consider
them, and proceed as I believed best; so 1^ going

152

ag&in to bed,, told not my wife till morning. My
heart was turned to the Lord for his heavenly in
struction ; and it was an humbling time to me.
When I told my dear wife, she appeared to be
deeply concerned about it ; but in a few hours time,
my mind became settled in a belief, that it was my
duty to proceed on my journey ; and she bore it
with a good degree of resignation, In this conflict
of spirit, there were great searchings of heart, and
strong cries to the Lord, that no motion might be
in the least degree attended to, but that of the pure
spirit of truth.

The subjects before-mentioned, on which I had
so lately spoken in public, were now very fresh be
fore me ; and I was brought inwardly to commit
myself to the Lord, to be disposed of as He saw
best. So I took leave of my family and neigh
bours, in much bowedness of spirit, and went to our
monthly meeting at Burlington ; and after taking
leave of friends there, I crossed the river, accompa
nied by my friends Israel and John Pemberton ;
arid parting the next morning with Israel, John
bore me company to Samuel Poulk s ; where I met
the before-mentioned Indians, and we were glad to
see each other. Here my friend Benjamin Parvin
inet me, and proposed joining as a companion, we
^having passed some letters before on the subject ;
and now on his account I had a sharp trial ; for as
the journey appeared perilous, I thought if he went
chiefly to bear me company, and we should be
taken captive, my having been the means of draw-
ing.him into these difficulties., would add to my own

153

afflictions: so I told him my mind freely, and let
him know that I was resigned to go alone; but
after all, if he really believed it to be his duty to go
on,, I believed his company would be very comfort
able to me. It was indeed a time of deep exercise,
and Benjamin appeared to be so fastened to the
visit, that he could not be easy to leave me; so we
went on, accompanied by our friends John Pem-
berton, and William Lightfoot of Pikeland, and
lodged at Bethlehem ; and there parting with John,
William and we went forward on the ninth day of
the sixth month, and got lodging on the floor of a
house, about five miles from Fort Allen. Here we
parted with William : and at this place we met with
an Indian trader, lately come from Wioming ; and
in conversation with him I perceived that many
white people do often sell rum to the Indians, which
I believe, is a great evil ; first, they being thereby
deprived of the use of their reason, and their spirits
violently agitated, quarrels often arise which end in
mischief; and the bitterness and resentment occa
sioned hereby, are frequently of long continuance :
again, their skins and furs, gotten through much
fatigue and hard travels in hunting, with which
they intended to buy clothing, when they become
intoxicated, they often sell at a low rate for more
rum ; and afterward, when they suffer for want of
the necessaries of life, are angry with those who,
for the sake of gain, took the advantage of their
weakness : of this their chiefs have often com
plained, at their treaties with the English. Where
cunning people pass counterfeits, and impose that

154

on others which is good for nothing, it is considered
as a wickedness ; but to sell that to people which
we know does them harm, and which often works
their ruin, for the sake of gain, manifests a hardened
and corrupt heart ; and is an evil, which demands
the care of all true lovers of virtue to suppress.
While my mind this evening, was thus employed, I
also remembered, that the people on the frontiers,
among whom this evil is too common, are often
poor ; who venture to the outside of a colony, that
they may live more independent on such as are
wealthy, who often set high rents on their land :
being renewedly confirmed in a belief, that if all
our inhabitants lived according to sound wisdom,
labouring tq.promote universal love and righteous
ness, and ceased from every inordinate desire after
wealth, and from all customs which are tinctured
with luxury, the way would be easy for our inhabi
tants, though much more numerous than at present,
to live comfortably on honest employments, without
having that temptation they are often under, of
being drawn into schemes to make settlements on
lands which have not been purchased of the Indians,
or of applying to that wicked practice of selling
rum to them.

On the tenth day of the month we set out early
in the morning, and crossed the western branch of
Delaware, called the Great Lehie near Fort Allen ;
the water being high, we went over in a canoe.
Here we met an Indian, and had some friendly con
versation with him, and gave him some biscuit ;
and he having killed a deer, gave the Indians with

155

us some of it. Then after travelling some miles, we
met several Indian men and women with a cow and
horse, and some household goods, who were lately
come from their dwelling at Wioming, and going
to settle at another place; we made them some
small presents ; and some of them understanding
English, I told them rriy motive in coming into their
country ; with which they appeared satisfied : and
one of our guides talking awhile with an ancient
woman concerning us, the poor old woman came
to my companion and me, and took her leave of us
with an appearance of sincere affection. So going
on, we pitched our tent near the banks of the same
river, having laboured hard in crossing some of
those mountains called the Blue Ridge, and by the
roughness of the stones, and the cavities between
them, and the steepness of the hills it appeared dan
gerous. But we were preserved in safety, through
the kindness of Him whose works in these moun
tainous deserts appeared awful,, toward whom rny
heart was turned during this day s travel.

Near our tent, on the sides of large trees peeled
for that purpose, were various representations of
men going to, and returning from the wars, and of
some killed in battle. This being a path hereto
fore used by warriors ; and as I walked about view
ing those Indian histories, which were painted
mostly in red, but some in black; and thinking on
the innumerable afflictions which the proud, fierce,
spirit produceth in the world ; thinking on the toils
and fatigues of warriors, travelling over mountains
and deserts ; thinking on their miseries and distresses

156

when wounded far from home, by their enemies ;
and of their bruises and great weariness in chasing
one another over the rocks and mountains ; and of
their restless, unquiet state of mind,, who live in this
spirit, and of the hatred which mutually grows up
in the minds of the children of those nations engaged
in war with each other : during these meditations,
the desire to cherish the spirit of love and peace
amongst these people arose very fresh in me. This
was the first night that we lodged in the woods ; and
being wet with travelling in the rain, the ground,
our tent, and the bushes which we purposed to lay
under our blankets also wet, all looked discourag
ing ; but I believed, that it was the Lord who had
thus far brought me forward, and that He would dis
pose of me as He saw good, and therein I felt easy.
So we kindled a fire, with our tent open to it ; and
with some bushes next the ground, and then our
blankets, we made our bed, and lying down got
some sleep ; and in the morning, feeling a little un
well, I went into the river ; the water was cold, but
soon after 1 felt fresh and well.

The eleventh day of the sixth month, the bushes
being wet, we tarried in our tent, till about eight
o clock ; when going on, crossed a high mountain
supposed to be upward of four miles over, the steep
ness on the north side exceeding all the others ; we
also crossed two swamps, and it raining near night,,
we pitched our tent and lodged.

About noon, on our way, we were overtaken by
one of the Moravian brethren, going to Wehaloosing,
and an Indian man with him, who could talk

157

English, and we being together while our horses ate
grass, had some friendly conversation ; but they
travelling faster than we, soon left us. This Mo
ravian, I understood, had spent some time, this
spring at Wehaioosing ; arid was, by some of the
Indians, invited to come again.

The twelfth day of the sixth month, and first of
the week, it being a rainy day, we continued in our
tent ; and here I was led to think on the nature of
the exercise which hath attended me. Love was
the first motion, and thence a concern arose to
spend some time with the Indians, that I might feel
and understand their life, and the spirit they live in,
if haply I might receive some instruction from
them ; or they be in any degree helped forward by
my following the leadings of truth amongst them.
And as it pleased the Lord to make way for my
going at a time when the troubles of war were in
creasing, and when, by reason of much wet wea
ther, travelling was more difficult than usual at that
season, I looked upon it as a more favourable op
portunity to season my mind, and bring me into a
nearer sympathy with them. And as mine eye was
to the great Father of mercies, liurnbly desiring to
learn what his will was concerning me, I was made
quiet and content.

Our guide s horse, though hoppled, went away
in the night ; and after finding our own, and search
ing some time for him, his footsteps were discovered
in the path going back again, whereupon my kind
companion went off in the rain, and after about
seven hours returned with him. And here we

158

lodged again ; tying up our horses before we went
to bed, and loosing them to feed about break of
day.

On the thirteenth day of the sixth month,, the
sun appearing, we set forward ; and as I rode over
the barren hills, my meditations were on the alter
ations of the circumstances of the natives of this
land since the coming in of the English. The lands
near the sea, are conveniently situated for fishing ;
the lands near the rivers, where the tides flow, and
some above, are in many places fertile, and not
mountainous ; while the running of the tides, makes
passing up and down easy with any kind of traffick.
Those natives have, in some places, for trifling con
siderations, sold their inheritance so favourably
situated ; and in other places, been driven back by
superior force. So that, in many places, as their
way of clothing themselves is now altered from
what it was, and they, far remote from us, have to
pass over mountains, swamps, and barren deserts,
where travelling is very troublesome, in bringing
their skins and furs to trade with us.

By the extending of English settlements, and
partly by English hunters, the wild beasts they
chiefly depend upon for a subsistence, are not so
plentiful as they were ; and people too often, for the
sake of gain, open a door for them to waste their
skins and furs, in purchasing a liquor which tends
to the ruin of them and their families.

My own will and desires were now very much
broken, and my heart, with much earnestness,
turned to the Lord, to whom alone I looked for

159

help in the dangers before me. I had a prospect
of the English along the coast, for upwards of nine
hundred miles, where I have travelled ; and the
favourable situation of the English, and the diffi
culties attending the natives in many places, and
the negroes, were open before me ; and a weighty
arid heavenly care came over my mind, and love
filled my heart toward all mankind., in which I felt
a strong engagement, that we might be obedient to
the Lord, while in tender mercies, he is yet calling
to us ; and so attend to pure universal righteous
ness, as to give no just cause of offence to the Gen
tiles, who do not profess Christianity, whether the
blacks from Africa or the native inhabitants of this
continent. Here I was led into a close, laborious
enquiry, whether I, as an individual, kept clear
from all things which tended to stir up, or were
connected with wars, either in this land or Africa;
and my heart was deeply concerned, that in future
I might in all things keep steadily to the pure truth,
and live and walk in the plainness and simplicity
of a sincere follower of Christ. And in this lonely
journey I did, this day, greatly bewail the spread
ing of a wrong spirit, believing that fche prospe
rous,, convenient situation of the English, requires a
constant attention to divine love and wisdom to
guide and support us, in a way answerable to the
will of that good, gracious, and almighty Being,
who hath an equal regard to all mankind. And
here luxury and covetousness, with the numerous
oppressions, arid other evils, attending them, ap
peared very afflicting to me; and 1 felt in that

160

which is immutable,, that the seeds of great calamity
and desolation are sown and growing fast on this
continent. Nor have I words sufficient to set forth
that longing I then felt, that we, who are placed
along the coast, and have tasted the love and
goodness of God, might arise in his strength ; and
like faithful messengers, labour to check the growth
of these seeds, that they may not ripen to the ruin
of our posterity.

We reached the Indian settlement at Wioming :
and here we were told, that an Indian runner had
been at that place a day or two before us, and
brought news of the Indians taking an English fort
westward, and destroying the people, and that they
were endeavouring to take another ; and also, that
another Indian runner came there about the middle
of the night before we got there, who came from a
town about ten miles fromWehaloosirig,and brought
news, that some Indian warriors, from distant parts,
came to that town with two English scalps, and
told the people that it was war with the English.

Our guides took us to the house of a very ancient
man ; and, soon after we had put in our baggage,
there came a man from another Indian house some
distance off; and I, perceiving there was a man
near the door, went out ; and he having a toma
hawk wrapped under his matchcoat out of sight, as
I approached him, he took it in his hand ; I, how
ever, went forward, and speaking to him in a
friendly way perceived he understood some English.
My companion then coming out, we had some talk
with him concerning the nature of our visit in these

161

parts ; and then lie going into the house with us,
and talking with our guides, soon appeared friendly,
and sat down and smoked his pipe. Though his
taking his hatchet in his hand at the instant I drew
near to him, had a disagreeable appearance, I be
lieve he had no other intent than to be in readiness
in case any violence was offered to him.

Hearing the news brought by these Indian run
ners, and being told by the Indians where we
lodged, that what Indians were about Wioming
expected in a few days to move to some larger
towns, I thought that, to all outward appearance,
it was dangerous travelling at this time ; and was,
after a hard day s journey, brought into a painful
exercise at night, in which I had to trace back and
view over the steps I had taken from my first
moving in the visit; and though I had to bewail
some weakness which at times had attended me,
yet I could not find that I had ever given way to a
wilful disobedience ; and then as I believed I had,
under a sense of duty, come thus far, I was now
earnest in spirit, beseeching the Lord to show me
what I ought to do. In this great distress I grew
jealous of myself, lest the desire of reputation, as
a man firmly settled to persevere through dangers,
or the fear of disgrace arising on my returning
without performing the visit, might have some place
in me. Thus I lay, full of thoughts, great part of the
night, while my beloved companion lay and slept
by me, till the Lord, my gracious Father, who saw
the conflicts of my soul, was pleased to give quiet
ness : then I was again strengthened to commit my

L

life, and all things relating thereto., into his heavenly
hands ; and getting a little sleep toward day,, when
morning came, we arose.

On the fourteenth day of the sixth month,, we
sought out and visited all the Indians hereabouts
that we could meet with, they being chiefly in one
place, about a mile from where we lodged, in all
perhaps twenty. Here I expressed the care I had
on my mind for their good, and told them, that
true love had made me willing thus to leave my
family to come and see the Indians, and speak with
them in their houses. Some of them appeared
kind and friendly. So we took our leave of these
Indians, and went up the river Susquehannah, about
three miles, to the house of an Indian, called Jacob
January, who had killed his hog; and the women
were making store of bread, and preparing to move
up the river. Here our pilots left their canoe when
they came down in the spring, which, lying dry, was
leaky ; so that we, being detained some hours, had
a good deal of friendly conversation with the family;
and eating dinner with them, we made them some
small presents : then putting our baggage in the
canoe, some of them pushed slowly up the stream,
and the rest of us rode our horses ; and swimming
them over a creek, called Lahawahamunk, we
pitched our tent above it, there being a shower in
the evening. In a sense of God s goodness in help
ing me in my distress, sustaining me under trials,
and inclining my heart to trust in Him, I lay down
in an humble bowed frame of mind, and had a
comfortable night s lodging.

163

On the fifteenth day of the sixth month, we pro
ceeded forward till the afternoon,, when a storm
appearing*, we met our canoe at an appointed place,
and we staid all night, the rain continuing so heavy
that it beat through our tent, and wet us and our
baggage.

c5O O

On the sixteenth day, we found on our way
abundance of trees blown down by the storm yes
terday ; and had occasion reverently to consider the
kind dealings of the Lord, who provided a safe
place for us in a valley while this storrn continued.
By the falling of abundance of trees across our path,
we were much hindered, and in some swamps our
way was so stopped that we got through with ex
treme difficulty.

I had this day often to consider myself as a
sojourner in this world ; and a belief in the all-
sufficiency of God to support his people in their
pilgrimage, felt comfortable to me ; and I was
industriously employed to get to a state of perfect
resignation.

We seldom saw our canoe but at appointed
places, by reason of the path going off from the
river: and this afternoon, Job Chilaway, an Indian
from Wehaloosing, who talks good English, and is
acquainted with several people in and about Phila
delphia, met our people on the river ; and under
standing where we expected to lodge, pushed back
about six miles, and came to us after night ; and in
a while our own canoe came, it being hard work
pushing up the stream. Job told us, that an Indian
came in haste to their town yesterday, and tpld

164

thorn,, 1hat three vvarriors coining from some dis
tance, lodged in a town above Wehaloosing, a
few nights past ; ami that these three men were
going against the English at Juniata. Job was
going down the river to the province-store at
Shunokin. Though I was so far favoured with
health as to continue travelling, yet, through the
various difficulties in our journey, and the different
way of living from what I had been used to,, I grew
sick : and the news of these warriors being on their
march so near us, and not knowing whether we
might not fall in with them, was a fresh trial of my
faith ; and though through the strength of divine
love, I had several times been enabled to commit
myself to the divine disposal, I still found the want
of my strength to be renewed, that I might per
severe therein ; and my cries for help were put up
to the Lord, who, in great mercy gave me a re
signed heart, in which I found quietness.

On the seventeenth day, parting from Job Chil-
away, we went on, and reached Wehaloosing about
the middle of the afternoon. The first Indian that
we saw, vvas a woman of a modest countenance,
with a Bible, who first spake to our guide ; and
then, with an harmonious voice, expressed her
gladness at seeing us, having before heard of our
corning : then, by the direction of our guide, we
sat down on a log, and he went to the town, to tell
the people w r e were come. My companion and I
sitting thus together, in a deep inward stillness, the
poor woman came and sat near us ; and great awful-
ness coming over us, we rejoiced in a sense of God s

165

love manifested to our poor souls. After a while, we
heard a conkshell blow several times, arid then came
John Curtis, and another Indian man, who kindly
invited us into a house near the town, where we
found, I suppose, about sixty people sitting in
silence. After sitting a short time, I stood up,
and in some tenderness of spirit acquainted them
with the nature of my visit, and that a concern for
their good had made me willing to come thus far to
see them : all in a few short sentences, which some
of them understanding, interpreted to the others,
and there appeared gladness amongst them. Then
I shewed them my certificate, which was explained
to them; and the Moravian who overtook us on
the way, being now here, bid me welcome.

On the eighteenth day, we rested ourselves this
forenoon ; and the Indians knowing that the Mora
vian and I were of different religious societies, and
as some of their people had encouraged him to
come and stay a while with them, were, I believe,
concerned, that no jarring or discord might be in
their meetings : and they, I suppose, having con
ferred together, acquainted me, that the people, at
my request, would, at any time, come together, and
hold meetings; and also told me, that they expected
the Moravian would speak in their settled meetings,
which are commonly held morning and near even
ing. So I found liberty in my heart to speak to the
Moravian, and told him of the care I felt on my
mind for the good of these people ; and that I
believed no ill effects would follow it, if I sometimes
spake in their meetings \\hen love engaged me

16G

thereto, without calling them together at times when
they did not meet of course. Whereupon he ex
pressed his good -will toward my speaking at any
time, all that I found in my heart to say ; so, near
evening, I was at their meeting, where the pure
gospel love was felt, to the tendering of some of our
hearts ; and the interpreters endeavouring to ac
quaint the people with what I said, in short sen
tences, found some difficulty, as none of them were
quite perfect in the English and Delaware tongues,
so they helped one another, and we laboured along,
divine love attending. Afterwards feeling my
mind covered with the spirit of prayer, I told the
interpreters that I found it in my heart to pray to
God, and believed, if I prayed aright, He would hear
me ; and expressed my willingness for them to omit
interpreting ; so our meeting ended with a degree of
divine love : and before the people went out, I ob
served Papunehang (the man who had been zealous
in labouring for a reformation in that town, being
then very tender) spoke to one of the interpreters ;
and I was afterwards told that he said in substance as
follows: " I love to feel where words come from. *
On the nineteenth day, and first of the week, this
morning, in the meeting, the Indian who came with
the Moravian, being also a member of that society,
prayed ; and then the Moravian spake a short time
to the people. In the afternoon they coming together,
and my heart being filled with a heavenly care for
their good, I spake to them awhile by interpreters;
but none of them being perfect in the work, and I
feeling the current of love run strong, told the in-

16?

terpreters, that I believed some of the people would
understand me, and so I proceeded; in which exercise
I believe the Holy Ghost wrought on some hearts
to edification where all the words were not under
stood. I looked upon it as a time of divine favour,
and my heart was tendered and truly thankful
before the Lord ; and after I sat down, one of the
interpreters seemed spirited to give the Indians the
substance of what I had said.

Before our first meeting this morning, I was led
to meditate on the manifold difficulties of these
Indians,, who, by the permission of the Six Nations,
dwell in these parts ; and a near sympathy with
them was raised in me ; and my heart being en
larged in the love of Christ, I thought that the
affectionate care of a good man for his only brother
in affliction, does not exceed what I then felt for that
people.

I carne to this place through much trouble ; and
though, through the mercies of God, I believed
that if I died in the journey, it would be well with
me; yet, the thoughts of falling into the hands of
Indian warriors, were, in times of weakness, afflict
ing to me ; and being of a tender constitution of
body, the thoughts of captivity amongst them were,
at times, grievous ; as supposing that they, being
strong and hardy, might demand service of me
beyond what I could well bear ; but the Lord alone
was my keeper ; and I believed, if I went into cap
tivity, it would be for some good end ; and thus,
from time to time, my mind was centered in re
signation, in which 1 always found quietness. And

168

now, this day, though I had the same dangerous
wilderness between me and home, I was inwardly
joyful that the Lord had strengthened me to come
on this visit, and manifested a fatherly care over me
in my poor lowly condition, when in mine own eyes
I appeared inferior to many amongst the Indians.

When the last-mentioned meeting was ended, it
being night,, Papunehang went to bed ; and one of
the interpreters sitting by me, I observed Papune
hang spake with an harmonious voice, I suppose,
a minute or two : and, asking the interpreter, was
told, that f{ he was expressing his thankfulness to
God for the favours he had received that day ; and
prayed that He would continue to favour Him with
that same, which he had experienced in that meet-
ing." Though Papunehang before agreed to re
ceive the Moravian, and join with them, he still
appeared kind and loving to us.

On the twentieth day, I was at two meetings, and
silent in them.

The twenty-first day. This morning, in meeting,
my heart was enlarged in pure love amongst them,
and in short plain sentences, I expressed several
things that rested upon me, which one of the in
terpreters gave the people pretty readily ; after
which the meeting ended in supplication, and I had
cause humbly to acknowledge the loving-kindness
of the Lord towards us ; and then 1 believed that a
door remained open for the faithful disciples of
Jesus Christ, to labour amongst these people.

I now feeling my mind at liberty to return, took
my leaye of them in general, at the conclusion of

169

what I said in meeting* ; and so we prepared to go
homeward. But some of their most active men told
us that when we were ready to move, the people
would choose to come and shake hands with us ;
which those who usually came to meeting did.
And from a secret draught in my mind, I went
amongst some who did not use to go to meeting,
and took my leave of them also: and the Moravian
and his Indian interpreter, appeared respectful to
us at parting. This town stands on the bank of
the Susquehannah, and consists, I believe, of about
forty houses, mostly compact together; some about
thirty feet long, and eighteen wide, some bigger,
some less ; mostly built of split plank, one end set
in the ground, and the other pinned to a plate, on
which lay rafters, and covered with bark. I under
stand a great flood last winter overflowed the chief
part of the ground where the town stands; and
some were now about moving their houses to higher

o o

ground.

We expected only two Indians to be our com
pany, but when we were ready to go, we found
many of them were going to Bethlehem with skins
and furs, who chose to go in company with us.
So they loaded two canoes which they desired us
to go in, telling us, that the waters were so raised
with the rains, that the horses should be taken by
such as were better acquainted with the fording
places. So we, with several Indians, went in the
canoes,, and others \vent on horses, there being-
seven besides ours; and we meeting with the
horsemen once on the way by appointment, and

170

then near night, a little below a branch called
Tankhannah, we lodged there ; and some of the
young men going out a little before dusk with their
guns,, brought in a deer.

On the twenty-second day, through diligence, we
reached Wioming before night, and understood the
Indians were mostly gone from this place. Here
we went up a small creek into the woods with our
canoes, and pitching our tent, carried out our bag
gage; and before dark our horses came to us.

On the twenty-third day in the morning their
horses were loaded, and we prepared our baggage
and so set forward, being in all fourteen ; and with
diligent travelling, were favoured to get near half
way to Fort Alien. The land on this road from
Wioming to our frontier being mostly poor, and
good grass, scarce, they chose apiece of low ground
to lodge on, as the best for grazing; and I having
sweat much in travelling, and being weary, slept
sound ; I perceived in the night that I had taken
cold, of which I was favoured to get better soon.

On the twenty-fourth day we passed Fort Allen,
and lodged near it in the woods.

We forded the westerly branch of Delaware
three times, and thereby had a shorter way, and
missed going over the top of the blue mountains,
called the Second Ridge. In the second time ford
ing, where the river cuts through the mountain, the
waters being rapid and pretty deep, and rny com
panion s mare being a tall tractable animal, he
sundry times drove her back through the river, and
they loaded her with the burdens of some small

Itl

horses, which they thought not sufficient to come
through with their loads.

The troubles westward, and the difficulty for
Indians to pass through our frontier, I apprehend
was one reason why so many came, as expecting
that our being in company, would prevent the out
side inhabitants from being surprized.

On the twenty-fifth day we reached Bethlehem,
taking care on the way to keep foremost, and to
acquaint people on and near the road who these
Indians were. This we found very needful ; for the
frontier inhabitants were often alarmed at the report
of English being killed by Indians westward.

Amongst our company were some whom I did
not remember to have seen at meeting, arid some
of these at first were very reserved; but we being
several days together, and behaving friendly to
wards them, and making them suitable returns for
the services they did us, they became more free and
sociable.

On the twenty-sixth day and first of the week,
having carefully endeavoured to settle all affairs
with the Indians relative to our journey, we took
leave of them, and I thought they generally parted
with us affectionately ; so we getting to Richland,
had a very comfortable meeting amongst our
friends. Here I parted with my kind friend and
companion Benjamin Parvin ; and accompanied
by my friend Samuel Foulk, we rode to John Cad-
wallader s, from whence I reached home the next
day, where I found my family middling well ; and
they and my friends all along appeared glad to

172

see me return from a journey which they appre
hended dangerous ; but my mind, while I was out,
had been so employed in striving for a perfect resig
nation, and I had so often been confirmed in a belief,
that whatever the Lord might be pleased to allot
for me, would work for good ; I was careful lest I
should admit any degree of selfishness in being glad
overmuch, and laboured to improve by those trials
in such a manner as my gracious Father and Pro
tector intends for me. Between the English inha
bitants and Wehaloosing, we had only a narrow
path, which in many places is much grown up with
bushes, and interrupted by abundance of trees lyi rig-
across it, these, together with the mountains,
swamps, and rough stones, make it a difficult road
to travel ; and the more so, for that rattlesnakes
abound there, of which we killed four. That peo
ple who have never been in such places, have but
an imperfect idea of them ; but I was not only
taught patience, but also made thankful to God,
who thus led me about and instructed me, that I
might have a quick and lively feeling of the atHic-
tions of my fellow-creatures, whose situation in life
is difficult.

173

CHAP. IX.

His religious conversation with a company met to
see the tricks of a jugler. His account of John
Smith s advice, and of the proceedings of a com
mittee, at the yearly meeting in 1764. Contem
plations on the nature of true wisdom, occasioned
by hearing of the cruelty of the Indians to their
captives. His visiting the families of friends at
Mount Holly, Mansfield, and Burlington, in
1764, and the meetings on the Sea coast from
Cape May towards Squan in 1765. FJis visit to
the lower counties on Delaware, and the eastern
shore of Maryland in 1166, in company with John
Sleeper; with some account of Joseph Nichols and
his followers ; and observations on the different
state of the first settlers in Pennsylvania who de
pended on their ozvn labour, and those of the south
ern provinces who kept negroes. His visiting the
northern parts of New Jersey the same year, and
the western parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania
in 1161, and afterwards other parts of Pennsyl
vania and the families of friends at Mount Holly;
and again several parts of Maryland in 1768.
Further Considerations on keeping Slaves; and
his concern for having formerly, as an executor,
been party to the sale of one; and what he did
in consequence of it. Thoughts on friends exer
cising offices in civil government.

THE latter part of the summer, 1763, there came
a man to Mount Holly, who had before published

. 174

by a printed advertisement, that at a certain public-
house, he would show many wonderful operations,
which he therein enumerated.

This man, at the time appointed, did, by slight
of hand, sundry things; which,, to those gathered,
appeared strange.

The next day, I hearing of it, and understanding
that the show was to be continued the next night,
and the people to meet about sunset, felt an exer
cise on that account. So I went to the public-
house in the evening, and told the man of the house
that I had an inclination to spend a part of the
evening there; with which he signified that he was
content. Then sitting down by the door, I spoke
to the people as they came together, concerning
this show ; and more corning and sitting down with
us, the seats at the door were mostly filled ; and I
had conversation with them in the fear of the Lord,
and laboured to convince them that thus assembling
to see those tricks or slights of hand, and bestowing
their money to support men who in that capacity
were of no use in the world, was contrary to the
nature of the Christian religion.

There was one of the company who, for a time,
endeavoured by arguments to show the reasonable
ness of their proceedings herein ; but after consider
ing some texts of scripture, and calmly debating the
matter, he gave up the point. So having spent
about an hour amongst them, and feeling my mind
easy, I departed.

At our yearly meeting at Philadelphia, on the
twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, 1764, John

175

Smith of Marlborough, aged upwards of eighty
years, a faithful minister, though not eloquent,
stood up in our meeting of ministers and elders,
and appearing to be under a great exercise of spirit,
informed friends in substance as follows : to wit,
ce That he had been a member of our society up
wards of sixty years, and well remembered that in
those early times friends were a plain lowly-minded
people ; and that there was much tenderness and
contrition in their meetings. That at twenty years
from that time, the society increasing in wealth,
and in some degree conforming to the fashions of
the world, true humility was less apparent, and
their meetings in general not so lively and edifying.
That at the end of forty years, many of them were
grown very rich ; that wearing fine costly gar
ments, and using silver (and other) watches, be
came customary with them, their sons and their
daughters, and many of the society made a specious
appearance in the world ; which marks of outward
wealth and greatness, appeared on some in our
meetings of ministers and elders ; and as these
things became more prevalent, so the powerful
overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were less mani
fest in the Society. That there had been a con
tinued increase of these ways of life even until now;
and that the weakness which hath now overspread
the society, and the barrenness manifest amongst
us, is matter of much sorrow." He then mentioned
the uncertainty of his attending these meetings in
future, expecting his dissolution was now near; and
having tenderly expressed his concern for us, signified

-176

that he had seen in the true light, that the Lord
would bring back his people from these things into
which they were thus degenerated,, but that his
faithful servants must first go through great and
heavy exercises therein.

On the twenty-ninth day, the committee ap
pointed by the yearly meeting to visit the quarterly
and monthly meetings, gave an account in writing
of their proceedings in that service ; in which they
signified, that in the course of it, they had been appre
hensive that some persons holding offices in govern
ment, inconsistent with our principles ; and others
who kept slaves, remaining active members in our
meetings for discipline, had been one means of weak
ness more and more prevailing in the management
thereof in some places. After this report was read,
an exercise revived on my mind, which, at times,
had attended me several years, and inward cries to
the Lord were raised in me, that the fear of man
might not prevent me from doing what he required
of me ; and standing up, I spoke in substance as
follows: " I have felt a tenderness in my mind
towards persons, in two circumstances mentioned
in that report ; that is, towards such active members
who keep slaves, and such who hold offices in civil
government ; and have desired, that friends in all
their conduct may be kindly affectioned one toward
another. Many friends, who keep slaves, are under
some exercise on that account ; and at times, think
about trying them with freedom ; but find many
things in their way. And the way of living, and
annual expenses of some of them are such, that it

177

seems impracticable for them to set their slaves
free,, without changing their own way of life. It
has been my lot to be often abroad : and I have
observed in some places, at quarterly and yearly
meetings, and at some houses where travelling
friends and their horses are often entertained,, that
the yearly expense of individuals therein is very
considerable. And friends in some places crowding
much on persons in these circumstances for enter
tainment, hath often rested as a burden on my mind
for some years past ; and I now express it in the
fear of the Lord, greatly desiring that friends now
present may duly consider it."

In the fall of this year, having hired a man to
work, I perceived in conversation that he had been
a soldier in the late war on this continent ; and in
the evening, giving a narrative of his captivity
amongst the Indians, he informed me that he saw
two of his fellow captives tortured to death in a very
cruel manner.

This relation affected me with sadness, under
which I went to bed; and the next morning, soon
after I awoke, a fresh arid living sense of divine
love was spread over my mind ; in which I had a
renewed prospect of the nature of that wisdom from
above, which leads to a right use of all gifts, both
spiritual and temporal, and gives content therein.
Under a feeling thereof, I wrote as follows :

" Hath He, who gave me a being attended with
many wants unknown to brute creatures, given rne
a capacity superior to theirs ? and shown me that a
moderate application to business is proper to my

31

178

present condition ; and that this, attended with his
blessing, may supply all outward wants,, while they
remain within the bounds He hath fixed ; and that
no imaginary wants proceeding from an evil spirit,
should have any place in me? Attend then, O my
soul! to this pure wisdom, as thy sure conductor
through the manifold dangers in this world !

f< Doth pride lead to vanity ? Doth vanity form
imaginary wants? Do these wants prompt men to
exert their power in requiring thai of others, which
themselves would rather be excused from, were the
same required of them ?

"Do those proceedings beget hard thoughts?
Do hard thoughts, when ripe, become malice ?
Does malice, when ripe, become revengeful ; and
in the end inflict terrible pains on their fellow-crea
tures, and spread desolations in the world ?

" Do mankind, walking in uprightness, delight
in each other s happiness ? And do these creatures,
capable of this attainment, by giving way to an evil
spirit, employ their wit and strength to afflict and
destroy one another?

" Remember then/ O my soul ! the quietude of
those in whom Christ governs, and in ail thy pro
ceedings feel after it !

(c Doth He condescend to bless thee with his pre
sence ? To move and influence to action ? To
dwell in thee, and walk in thee? Remember then
thy station, as a being sacred to God. Accept of the
strength freely offered thee ; and take heed that no
weakness, in conforming to expensive, unwise, and
hard-hearted customs, gendering to discord and

179

strife, be given way to. Doth He claim my body as
his temple, and graciously grant that 1 may be
sacred to Him ? Oh ! that I may prize this favour ;
and that my whole life may be conformable to this
character !

" Remember, O my soul ! that the prince of peace
is thy Lord ; that He communicates his unmixed
wisdom to his family ; that they,, living in perfect
simplicity, may give no just cause of offence to any
creature, but may walk as He walked !"

Having felt an openness in my heart toward visit
ing families in our own meeting, and especially in
the town of Mount Holly, the place of my abode, I
mentioned it in our monthly meeting the forepart
of the winter 1764; which being agreed to, and se
veral friends of our meeting being united in the
exercise, we proceeded therein ; and through divine
favour were helped in the work, so that it appeared
to me as a fresh reviving of godly care amongst
friends; and the latter part of the same winter, I
joined my friend William Jones, in a visit to
friends families in Mansfield ; in which labour, I
had cause to admire the goodness of the Lord to
ward us.

Having felt my mind drawn toward a visit to
friends along the sea-coast from Cape May to near
Squan ; and also to visit some people in those parts,
amongst whom there is no settled worship; I joined
with my beloved friend Benjamin Jones, in a visit
there, having friends unity therein. And setting off
the twenty-fourth day of the tenth month, 1765, we
had a prosperous and very satisfactory journey ;

M 2

ISO

feeling at times,, through the goodness of the hea
venly Shepherd, the gospel to flow freely toward a
poor people scattered in those places. And soon
after our return, I joined my friends John Sleeper
and Elizabeth Smith, in visiting friends families at
Burlington, there being at this time about fifty
families of our society in that city ; and we had
cause humbly to adore our heavenly Father, who
baptized us into a feeling of the state of the people,
and strengthened us to labour in true gospel love
amongst them.

An exercise having, at times, for several years
attended me, in regard to paying a religious visit to
friends on the Eastern Shore of Maryland ; such
was the nature of this exercise, that 1 believed the
Lord moved me to travel on foot amongst them,
that by so travelling I might have a more lively
feeling of the condition of the oppressed slaves, set
an example of lowliness before the eyes of their
masters, and be more out of the way of temptation
to unprofitable converse.

The time now drawing near in which I believed
it my duty to lay my concern before our monthly
meeting, I perceived in conversation with my be
loved friend John Sleeper, that he was under a con
cern to travel the same way, and also to travel on
foot in the form of a servant amongst them, as he
expressed it, This he told me before he knew aught
of my exercise.

We being thus drawn the same way, laid our
exercise and the nature of it before friends ; and
obtaining certificates, we set off the sixth day of

181

the fifth month, 1766 ; and were at meetings with
friends at Wilmington, Duck Creek, Little Creek
and Motherkill ; my heart being sundry times ten
dered under the divine influence., and enlarged in
love toward the people amongst whom we travelled.

From Motherkill, we crossed the country about
thirty-five miles to friends at Tuckahoe in Mary
land, and had a meeting there and at Marshy
Creek.

At these, our three last meetings, were a consi
derable number of people, followers of one Joseph
Nichols, a preacher ; who, I understand, is not in
outward fellowship with any religious society of
people, but professeth nearly the same principles as
our society doth, and often travels up and down
appointing meetings, to which many people come.
1 heard some friends speaking of some of their
neighbours, who had been irreligious people, that
were now his followers, and were become sober,
well-behaved men and women.

Some irregularities, I hear, have been amongst
the people at several of his meetings ; but from the
whole of what I have perceived, I believe the man
and some of his followers, are honestly disposed,
but that skilful fathers are wanting among them.
From hence we went to Choptank and Third Ha
ven ; and thence to Queen Anne s. The weather
having some days past been hot and dry, and we
to attend meetings pursuant to appointment,
having travelled prelty steadily, and had hard labour
in meetings, I grew weakly ; at which I was for a
time discouraged ; but looking over our journey,

182

and thinking how the Lord had supported our
minds and bodies, so that we got forward much
faster than I expected before we came out, I now
saw that I had been in danger of too strongly de
siring to get soon through the journey, and that
this bodily weakness now attending me was a kind
ness to me ; and then, in contrition of spirit, I be
came very thankful to my gracious Father, for this
manifestation of his love ; and in humble submis
sion to his will, my trust was renewed in Him.

On this part of our journey, I had many thoughts
on the different circumstances of friends who inhabit
Pennsylvania and Jersey, from those who dwell in
Maryland,, Virginia, and Carolina. Pennsylvania
and New Jersey were settled by many friends, who
were convinced of our principles in England in
times of sufferings, and coming over, bought lands
of the natives, and applied themselves to husbandry
in a peaceable way; and many of their children
were taught to labour for their living.

Few friends, I believe, came from England to
settle in any of these southern provinces ; but by
the faithful labours of travelling friends in early
times, there were considerable convincements a-
mongst the inhabitants of these parts. Here I re
membered my reading of the warlike disposition of
many of the first settlers in those provinces, and of
their numerous engagements with the natives, in
which much blood was shed, even in the infancy
of those colonies. These people, inhabiting those
places, being grounded in customs contrary to the
pure truth, when some of them were affected with

183

the powerful preaching- of the Word of Life, and
joined in fellowship with our society, they had a
great work to go through. It is observable in the
History of the Reformation from Popery, that it
had a gradual progress from age to age. The up
rightness of the first reformers, in attending to the
light and understanding given them, opened the
way for sincere-hearted people to proceed further
afterward ; and thus each one truly fearing God,
and labouring in those works of righteousness ap
pointed for him in his day, findeth acceptance with
him. Though, through the darkness of the times,
and the corruption of manners and customs, some
upright men may have had little more for their day s
work than to attend to the righteous principle in
their minds, as it related to their own conduct in life,
without pointing out to others the whole extent of
that, which the same principle would lead succeed
ing ages into. Thus, for instance, amongst an im
perious warlike people, supported by oppressed
slaves, some of these masters, I suppose, are awak
ened to feel and see their error ; and, through sin
cere repentance, cease from oppression, and become
like fathers to their servants ; showing, by their
example, a pattern of humility in living, and mode
ration in governing, for the instruction and admo
nition of their oppressing neighbours ; these with
out carrying the reformation further, I believe have
found acceptance with the Lord. Such was the
beginning ; and those who succeeded them, and
have faithfully attended to the nature and spirit of
the reformation, have seen the necessity of proceed-

184

ing forward ; have not only to instruct others, by
their example, in governing well, but also to use
means to prevent their successors from having so
much power to oppress others.

Here I was renewedly confirmed in my rnirid,
that the Lord (whose tender mercies are over all his
works, and whose ear is open to the cries and groans
of the oppressed) is graciously moving on the hearts
of people, to draw them off from the desire of
wealth, and bring them into such an humble, lowly
way of living, that they may see their way clearly,
to repair to the standard of true righteousness ; and
not only break the yoke of oppression, but know
Him to be their strength and support in time of
outward affliction.

We, passing on, crossed Chester River; and had
a meeting there, and at Cecil and Sassafras.
Through niy bodily weakness, joined with a heavy
exercise of rnind, it was to rne an humbling dis
pensation, and I had a very lively feeling of the
state of the oppressed ; yet I often thought, that
what I suffered was little, compared with the suf
ferings of the blessed Jesus, and many of his faith
ful followers ; and may say with thankfulness, I
was made content.

From Sassafras we went pretty directly home,
where we found our families well ; and for several
weeks after our return, I had often to look over our
journey ; and though to me it appeared as a small
service, and that some faithful messengers will yet
have more bitter cups to drink in those southern
provinces for Christ s sake than we had ; yet I

185

found peace in that I had been helped to walk in
sincerity, according to the understanding arid
strength given me.

On the thirteenth day of the eleventh month,
1766, with the unity of friends at our monthly
meeting, in company with my beloved friend Ben
jamin Jones, I set out on a visit to friends in the
upper part of this province, having had drawings
of love in my heart that way a considerable time.
We travelled as far as Hardvvick, and I had inward
peace in my labours of love amongst them.

Through the humbling dispensations of Divine
Providence, my mind hath been brought into a
further feeling of the difficulties of friends and their
servants south-westward ; and being often engaged
in spirit on their account, I believed it my duty to
walk in to some parts of the western shore of Mary
land, on a religious visit. And having obtained a
certificate from friends of our monthly meeting, I
took my leave of my family under the heart-tender
ing operation of truth; and on the twentieth day of
the fourth month, 1767, I rode to the ferry oppo
site to Philadelphia, and from thence walked to
William Home s, at Derby, that evening ; and next
day pursued my journey alone, and reached Concord
weekday meeting.

Discouragements and a weight of distress had, at
times, attended me in this lonesome walk, through
which afflictions, I was mercifully preserved. And
now sitting down with friends, my mind was turned
toward the Lord, to wait for his holy leadings, who
in infinite love was pleased to soften my heart into

186

humble contrition, and did renewcdiy strengthen
me to go forward, that to me it was a time of hea
venly refreshment in a silent meeting.

The next day I came to New Garden weekday
meeting, in which I sat with bowedness of spirit ;
and being baptized into a feeling of the state of
some present, the Lord gave us a heart-tendering
season ; to his name be the praise.

I passed on, and was at Nottingham monthly
meeting ; and at a meeting at Little Britain on first
day ; and in the afternoon several friends came to
the house where I lodged, and we had a little after
noon meeting ; and through the humbling power
of truth, I had to admire the loving kindness of the
Lord manifested to us.

On the twenty-sixth day, I crossed the Susque-
hannah,and corning amongst people in outward ease
and greatness, supported chiefly on the labour of
slaves, my heart was much affected ; and in awful
retiredness, my mind was gathered inward to the
Lord, being humbly engaged that in true resigna
tion I might receive instruction from Him, respect
ing my duty amongst this people.

Though travelling on foot was wearisome to my
body, yet thus travelling was agreeable to the state
of my mind.

I went gently on, being weakly, and was covered
with sorrow and heaviness, on account of the
spreading, prevailing spirit of this world, introduc
ing customs grievous and oppressive on one hand,
and cherishing pride and wantonness on the other.
In this lonely walk, and state of abasement and hu-

18?

initiation, the state of the church in these parts was
opened before me ; and I may truly say with the
prophet, " I was bowed down at. the hearing of it ;
I was dismayed at the seeing of it." Under this
exercise, I attended the quarterly meeting at Gun
powder ; and in bowedriess of spirit, I had to open,
with much plainness, what I felt respecting friends
living in fulness, on the labours of the poor op
pressed negroes ; and that promise of the Most High
was now revived : "I will gather ail nations and
tongues ; and they shall corne and see my glory."
Here the sufferings of Christ, and his tasting death
for every man, and the travels, sufferings, and mar
tyrdoms of the apostles, and primitive Christians, in
labouring for the conversion of the gentiles, was
livingly revived in me ; and according to the mea
sure of strength afforded, I laboured in some ten
derness of spirit, being deeply affected amongst
them ; and thus the difference between the present
treatment which these gentiles the negroes receive
at our hands, and the labours of the primitive
Christians for the conversion of the gentiles, were
pressed home, and the power of truth came over
us ; under a feeling of which, my mind was united
to a tender-hearted people in those parts ; and the
meeting concluded in a sense of God s goodness
toward his humble, dependent children.

The next day was a general meeting for worship,
much crowded, in which I was deeply engaged in
inward cries to the Lord for help, that I might stand
wholly resigned, and move only as He might be
pleased to lead me. And I was mercifully helped

188

to labour honestly and fervently amongst them, in
which I found inward peace, and the sincere were
comforted.

Prom hence I turned towards Pipe Creek,, and
passed on to the Red Lands, and had several meet
ings amongst friends in those parts. My heart was
often tenderly affected, under a sense of the Lord s
goodness, in sanctifying my troubles and exercises,
turning them to my comfort, and, I believe, to the
benefit of many others ; for, I may say with thank
fulness, that in this visit, it appeared like a fresh
tendering visitation in most places.

I passed on to the western quarterly meeting in
Pennsylvania. During the several days of this meet
ing, I was mercifully preserved in an inward feeling
after the mind of truth, and my public labours
tended to my humiliation, with which I was con
tent. After the quarterly meeting of worship
ended, I felt drawings to go to the women s meet
ing of business, which was very full ; and here the
humility of Jesus Christ, as a pattern for us to
walk by, was livingly opened before me ; and in
treating on it my heart was enlarged, and it was a
baptizing time. From hence I went on, and was
at meetings at Concord, Middletown, Providence,
and Haddon field, and so home, where I found my
family well. A sense of the Lord s merciful pre
servation in this my journey, excites reverent thank
fulness to Him.

On the second day of the ninth month, 1767,
with the unity of friends, I set off on a visit to
friends in the upper part of Berks and Philadelphia

189

counties ; was at eleven meetings in about two
weeks, and have renewed cause to bow in rever
ence before the Lord, who, by the powerful ex-
tendings of his humbling goodness, opened my
way amongst friends, and made the meetings (I
trust) profitable to us. And the winter following,
I joined friends on a visit to friends fanilies, in some
part of our meeting, in which exercise, the pure in
fluence of divine love, made our visits reviving.

On the fifth day of the fifth month, 1768, I left
home, under the humbling hand of the Lord, hav
ing obtained a certificate, in order to visit some
meetings in Maryland ; and to proceed without a
horse looked clearest to me. I was at the quarterly
meetings at Philadelphia and Concord ; and then
went on to Chester River ; and crossing the bay
with friends, was at the yearly meeting at West
River ; thence back to Chester River, and taking a
few meetings in my way, proceeded home. It was a
journey of much inward waiting, and as my eye was
to the Lord, way was several times opened to my
humbling admiration, when things had appeared
very difficult.

In my return, I felt a relief of mind very comfort
able to me, having, through divine help, laboured
in much plainness, both with friends selected, and
in the more public meetings ; so that (I trust) the
pure witness, in many rninds, was reached.

The eleventh day of the sixth month, 1769. Sun
dry cases have happened of late years, within the
limits of our monthly meeting, respecting that of

190

exercising pure righteousness toward the negroes,
in which I have lived under a labour of heart,, that
equity might be steadily kept to. On this account,
I have had some close exercises amongst friends,
in which, I may thankfully say, I find peace. And
as my meditations have been on universal love, my
own conduct in time past, became of late very
grievous to me.

As persons setting negroes free in our province,
are bound by law to maintain them, in case
they have need of relief ; some who scrupled keep
ing slaves for term of life, in the time of my youth,
were wont to detain their young negroes in their
service till thirty years of age, without wages, on
that account ; and with this custom I so far agreed,
that I, being joined to another friend, in executing
the will of a deceased friend, once sold a negro lad
till he might attain the age of thirty years, and ap
plied the money to the use of the estate.

With abasement of heart, I may now say, that
sometimes, as I have sat in a meeting, with my
heart exercised toward that awful Being, who res-
pecteth not persons nor colours, and have looked
upon this lad, I have felt that all was not clear in
my m md respecting him ; and as I have attended
to this exercise, and fervently sought the Lord,
it hath appeared to me, that I should make some
restitution, but in what way I saw not till lately ;
when being under some concern, that I may be re
signed to go on a visit to some part of the West
Indies ; and under close engagement of spirit seek-

191

ing to the Lord for counsel herein, that of my join
ing in the sale aforesaid, carne heavily upon me,
and my mind, for a time, was covered with darkness
and sorrow; and under this sore affliction, my heart
was softened to receive instruction. And here I first
saw, that as I had been one of the two executors,
who had sold this lad for nine years longer than is
common for our own children to serve, so I should
now offer a part of rny substance to redeem the last
half of that nine years ; but as the time was not
yet come, I executed a bond, binding me and my
executors, to pay to the man he was sold to, what
to candid men might appear equitable, for the last
four years and a half of his time, in case the said
youth should be living, and in a condition likely to
provide comfortably for himself.

The ninth day of the tenth month, 1769. My
heart hath often been deeply afflicted under a feel
ing I have had, that the standard of pure righteous*
uess, is not lifted up to the people by us, as a so
ciety, in that clearness which it might have been,
had we been so faithful to the teachings of Christ, as
we ought to have been. And as my mind hath been
inward to the Lord, the purity of Christ s govern
ment hath been opened in my understanding ; and
under this exercise, that of friends being active in
civil society, in putting laws in force which are not
agreeable to the purity of righteousness, hath, for
several years, been an increasing burden upon me,
having felt, in the opening of universal love, that
where a people convinced of the truth of the in.*

192

ward teachings of Christ,, are active in putting laws
in execution, which are not consistent with pure
wisdom, it hath a necessary tendency to bring dim
ness over their minds ; and as my heart hath been
thus exercised, and a tender sympathy in me to
ward my fellow members, I have, within a tew
months past, in several meetings for discipline, ex
pressed my concern on this subject.

193

CHAP. X.

Under some bodily indisposition, his body, by absti
nence, much weakened; and his mind, at that
time, exercised for the good of the people in the
West Indies. His afterwards communicating to

friends his being resigned to visit some of these
islands. The state of his mind, and the close con
siderations he was led into, zvhile under this exer
cise. His preparations to embark, and his consi
derations on the trade to these islands ; and his
being, when the vessel was ready to sail, released

from the concern he had been under, His reli
gious engagements after his return home. His
sickness, in which he was brought to a very low
state ; and the prospects he then had.

THE twelfth day of the third month. Having for
some years past dieted myself on account of a lump
gathering on my nose, under which diet I grew
weak in body, and not of ability to travel by land
as heretofore ; I was at times favoured to look with
awfulness toward the Lord, before whom are all my
ways, who alone hath the power of life and death ;
and to feel thankfulness raised in me for this his
fatherly chastisement, believing, if I was truly
humbled under it, all would work for good. While I
was under this bodily weakness, my mind being at
times exercised for my fellow-creatures in the West

194

Indies, I grew jealous over myself, lest the dis-
agreeableness of the prospect should hinder me
from obediently attending thereto ; for though I
knew not that the Lord required me to go there,
yet I believed that resignation was now called for
in that respect. Feeling a danger of not being
wholly devoted to him,, I was frequently engaged
to watch unto prayer, that I might be preserved ;
and upwards of a year having passed,, I walked one
day in a solitary wood, my mind being covered with
awfulness, cries were raised in me to my merciful
Father, that He would graciously keep me in faith
fulness ; and it then settled on my mind, as a duty,
to open rny condition to friends at our monthly
meeting ; which I did soon after, as follows :

se An exercise hath attended me for some time
past, and of late been more weighty upon me,
under which, I believe it is required of me to be
resigned to go on a visit to some part of the West
Indies/ In the quarterly and general spring meet
ing, I found no clearness to express any thing fur
ther, than that I believed resignation herein was re
quired of rne ; and having obtained certificates from
all the said meetings, I felt like a sojourner at my
outward habitation, kept free from worldly encum
brances, and was often bowed in spirit before the
Lord, with inward breathings to Him, that I might
be rightly directed. And I may here note, that
what I have before related of my being, when young,
joined as an executor with another friend, in exe
cuting the will of the deceased, our having sold a
negro lad till he might attain the age of thirty years,

195

was now the cause of much sorrow to me ; and
after having settled matters relating to this youth,
I provided a sea-store arid bed, and things for the
voyage. Hearing of a vessel likely to sail from
Philadelphia for Barbadoes, I spake with one of the
owners at Burlington., and soon after went to Phi
ladelphia on purpose to speak with him again ; at
which time he told me there was a friend in town
who was part owner of the said vessel ; but I felt no
inclination to speak with him, but returned home :
and,, a while after I took leave of my family ; and
going to Philadelphia, had some weighty conver
sation with the first-mentioned owner., and showed
him a writing, as follows :

" On the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh month,
1769, as an exercise, with respect to a visit to Bar-
badoes, hath been weighty on my mind, I may
express some of the trials which have attended me
under these trials, I have at times rejoiced, in that
1 have felt my own self-will subjected.

" I once, some years ago, retailed rum, sugar,
and molasses, the fruits of the labour of slaves ; but
then had not much concern about them, save only
that the rum might be used in moderation ; nor was
this concern so weightily attended to as I now
believe it ought to have been. Of late years,
being further informed respecting the oppressions
too generally exercised in these islands, and think
ing often on the decrees that are in connexions of

o o

interest and fellowship with the works of darkness,
Ephes. v. 11. ; and feeling an increasing concern to
be wholly given up to the leadings of the Holy

196

Spirit., it hath appeared that the small gain I got by
this branch of trade should be applied in promoting
righteousness on the earth, and with this was the first
motion to ward a visit to Barbadoes. I believed the
outward substance I possess should be applied in
paying my passage, if I go, and providing things in
a lowly way for my subsistence ; but when the time
drew near, in which I believed it required of
me to be in readiness, a difficulty arose which hath
been a continued trial tor some months past ; under
which I have, with abasement of mind, from day to
day, sought the Lord for instruction, and often had
a feeling of the condition of one formerly, who
bewailed himself for that the Lord hid his face
from him. During these exercises my heart hath
been often contrite, and I have had a tender feeling
of the temptations of my fellow-creatures labouring
under these expensive customs distinguishable from
the simplicity that there is in Christ, 2 Cor. ii. 3.
and sometimes in the renewings of gospel love,
have been helped to minister to others.

(f That which hath so closely engaged rny mind,
in seeking to the Lord for instruction, is, whether,
after so full information of the oppression the slaves
in the West Indies lie under, who raise the West
India produce, as I had in reading a caution and
warning to Great Britain and her colonies written by
Anthony Benezet, it is right for me to take a pas
sage in a vessel, employed in the West India
trade.

fc To trade freely with oppressors, and with on t
labouring to dissuade from such unkind treatment,

197

to seek for gain by such traffic, tends, I believe, to
make them more easy respecting their conduct than,
they would be, if the cause of universal righteous
ness was humbly and firmly attended to by those in
general with whom they have commerce ; and that
complaint of the Lord by his prophet, ff They have
strengthened the hands of the wicked/ hath very
often revived in my mind ; and I may here add
some circumstances preceding any prospect of a
visit there. The case of David hath often been
before me of late years : he longed for some water
in a well beyond an army of Philistines, at war
with Israel ; and some of his men, to please him,
ventured their lives in passing through this army,
arid brought that water.

Cf It doth not appear that the Israelites were then
scarce of water, but rather that David gave way to
delicacy of taste ; but having thought on the danger
these men were exposed to, he considered this water
as their blood, and his heart smote him that he could
not drink it, but pour it out to the Lord. And the
oppression of the slaves, which I have seen in seve
ral journies southward on this continent, and the
report of their treatment in the West Indies, hath
deeply affected me; and a care to live in the spirit
of peace, and minister just cause of offence to none
of rny fellow-creatures, hath, from time to time,
livingly revived on my mind; and, under this exer
cise, I, for some years past, declined to gratify my
palate with those sugars.

Cf I do not censure my brethren in these things ;
but believe the Father of Mercies, to whom all

198

mankind by creation are equally related, hath heard
the groans of this oppressed people, and is preparing
some to have a tender feeling of their condition ;
and the trading in, or frequent use of, any produce
known to be raised by the labours of those who are
under such lamentable oppression, hath appeared to
be a subject which may yet more require the serious
consideration of the humble followers of Christ, the
Prince of peace.

f{ After long and mournful exercise, I am now
free to mention how things have opened in my
mind, with desires that if it may please the Lord to
further open his will to any of his children in this
matter, they may faithfully follow Him in such fur
ther manifestation.

c( The number of those who decline the use of
the West India produce, on account of the hard
usage of the slaves who raise it, appears small, even
amongst people truly pious ; and the labours in
Christian love, on that subject, of those who do, are
not very extensive.

" Were the trade from this continent to the West
Indies to be quite stopped at once, I believe many
there would suffer for want of bread.

" Did we on this continent, and the inhabitants
of the West Indies, generally dwell in pure righte
ousness, I believe a small trade between us might
be right. Under these considerations, when the
thoughts of wholly declining the use of trading
vessels, and of trying to hire a vessel to go under
ballast, have arisen in my mind, I have believed
that the labours in gospel love, yet bestowed in the

199

cause of universal righteousness, are riot arrived to
that height.

" If the trade to the West Indies were no more
than was consistent with pure wisdom, I believe
the passage-money would, for good reasons,, be
higher than it is now; and here,, under deep ex
ercise of mind,, I have believed that I should not
take advantage of this great trade and small pas
sage-money ; but, as a testimony in favour of less
trading, should pay more than is common for others
to pay., if I go at this time."

The first mentioned owner having read the paper,
expressed a willingness to go with me to the other
owner ; and we going, the said other owner read
over the paper, and we had some solid conversation,
under which I felt myself bowed in reverence before
the Most High : and at length one of them asked
me if I would go and see the vessel. But I had
not clearness in my mind to go ; but went to my
lodging, and retired in private.

I was now r under great exercise of mind ; and my
tears were poured out before the Lord, with inward
cries that He would graciously help me under these
trials.

In this case I believed my mind was resigned,,
but did not feel clearness to proceed ; and my own
weakness, and the necessity of divine instruction,,
was impressed upon me.

1 was for a time as one who knew not what to do,
and was tossed as in a tempest; under which afflic
tion, the doctrine of Christ, " Take no thought for
the morrow/ arose livingly before me. I remem^

200

bered it was some days before they expected the
vessel to sail, and was favoured to get into a good
degree of stillness ; and having been near two days
in town, I believed my obedience to my heavenly
Father consisted in returning homeward ; and then
I went over amongst friends on the Jersey shore,,
and tarried till the morning on which they had
appointed to sail. And as I lay in bed the latter
part of that night, my mind was comforted ; and I
felt what I esteemed a fresh confirmation, that it was
the Lord s will that I should pass through some
further exercises near home.

So I went home, and still felt like a sojourner
with my family ; and in the fresh spring of pure
love, had some labours in a private way amongst
friends, on a subject relating to truth s testimony,
under which I had frequently been exercised in
heart for some years. 1 remember, as I walked on
the road under this exercise, that passage in Ezekiel
came fresh before me : " Whithersoever their faces
were turned, thither they went." And I was gra
ciously helped to discharge my duty, in the fear
and dread of the Almighty.

After a few weeks, it pleased the Lord to visit rne
with a pleurisy ; and after I had lain a few days,
and felt the disorder very grievous, I was thoughtful
how it might end.

I had of late, through various exercises, been
much weaned from the pleasant things of this life ;
and I now thought, if it was the Lord s will to put
an end to my labours, and graciously receive me
into the arms of his mercy, death would be accept-

201

able to rne ; but if it was his will to fin ther refine me
under affliction, and make me in any degree useful in
his church,, I desired not to die. I may, with thank
fulness, say,, that in this case I felt resignedness
wrought in me, and had no inclination to send for a
doctor ; believing, if it was the Lord s will, through
outward means, to raise me up., some sympathizing
friends would be sent to minister to me ; who
were accordingly : but though I was carefully at
tended, yet the disorder was at times so heavy,, that
I had no thoughts of recovery. One night in par
ticular., my bodily distress was great ; iny feet grew
cold, and cold increased up my legs toward my
body ; and at that time I had no inclination to
ask my nurse to apply any thing warm to my
feet, expecting my end was near : and after I had
lain near ten hours in this condition I closed my
eyes, thinking whether I might now be delivered
out of the body ; but, in these awful moments, my
mind was livingly opened to behold the church ;
and strong engagements were begotten in me,, for
the everlasting well-being of my fellow-creatures.
I felt, in the spring of pure love, that 1 might
remain some time longer in the body, in filling up,
according to my measure, that which remains of the
afflictions of Christ, and in labouring for the good
of the church ; after which, I requested my nurse to
apply warmth to my feet, and I revived. The next
night, feeling a weighty exercise of spirit, and
having a solid friend sitting up with me, I requested
him to write what I said, which he did as follows :

202

r " Fourth day of the first month, 1770, about five
in the morning. I have seen in the Light of the
Lord, that the day is approaching, when the man
that is the most wise in human policy shall be the
greatest fool ; and the arm that is mighty to support
injustice shall be broken to pieces ; the enemies of
righteousness shall make a terrible rattle, and shall
mightily torment one another ; for He that is omni
potent is rising up to judgment, and will plead the
cause of the oppressed ; and He commanded me to
open the vision/*

Near a week after this, feeling my mind livingly
opened, I sent for a neighbour, who, at my request,,
wrote as follows:

<f The place of prayer is a precious habitation ;
for I now saw that the prayers of the saints were
precious incense : and a trumpet was given me, that
I might sound forth this language ; that the chil
dren might hear it, and be invited together to this
precious habitation, where the prayers of the saints,
as precious incense, arise before the throne of Grod
and the Lamb. I saw this habitation to be safe ;
to be inwardly quiet when there were great stirrings
and commotions in the world.

fc Prayer, at this day, in pure resignation, is a
precious place : the trumpet is sounded ; the call
goes forth to the church, that she gather to the
place of pure inward prayer; and her habitation is
safe/*

203

CHAP. XL

His preparing to visit friends in England. His
embarking at Chester, in company with Samuel
Emlen, in a ship bound to London. His deep
exercise, in observing the difficulties and hardships
the common sailors are exposed to. Considera
tions on the dangers to which youth are exposed,
in being trained to a seafaring life, and its incon
sistency with a pious education. His thoughts in
a storm at sea ; with many instructive contem
plations on the voyage. His arrival at London.

HAVING been some time under a religious concern
to prepare for crossing the seas, in order to visit
friends in the northern parts of England, and more
particularly in Yorkshire ; after weighty considera
tion, I thought it expedient to inform friends, at
our monthly meeting at Burlington, of it; who,
having unity with me therein, gave me a certificate;
and I afterwards communicated the same to our
quarterly meeting,, and they likewise certified their
concurrence therewith. Some time after which, at
the general spring meeting of ministers and elders, I
thought it my duty to acquaint them of the religious
exercise which attended my mind; with which they
likewise signified their unity by a certificate, dated
the twenty-fourth day of the third month, 1772,
directed to friends in Great Britain.

204

In the fourth month following, I thought the
time was come for me to make some inquiry for a
suitable conveyance ; being apprehensive that, as
my concern was principally toward the northern
parts of England, it would be most proper to go in
a vessel bound to Liverpool or Whitehaven. And
while I was at Philadelphia, deliberating on this
occasion, I was informed that my beloved friend
Samuel Einleri, junior, intended to go to London,
and had taken a passage for himself in the cabin of
the ship called Mary and Elizabeth, of which James
Sparks was master, and John Head, of the city of
Philadelphia, one of the owners ; and I, feeling a
draft in my mind toward the steerage of the same
ship, went first and opened to Samuel the feeling I
had concerning it.

My beloved friend wept when I spake to him,
and appeared glad that I had thoughts of going in
the vessel with him, though my prospect was toward
the steerage ; and he offering to go with me, we
went on board, first into the cabin, a commodious
room, and then into the steerage ; where we sat
down on a chest, the sailors being busy about us ;
then the owner of the ship came and sat down with
us.

Here my mind was turned toward Christ, the
heavenly counsellor ; and, I feeling at this time my
own will subjected, my heart was contrite before
him.

A motion was made by the owner to go and sit
in the cabin, as a place more retired; but I felt
easy to leave the ship, and made no agreement as

205

to a passage in her ; but told the owner, if I took a
passage in the ship, I believed it would be in the
steerage ; but did not say much as to my exercise
in that case.

After I went to my lodgings., and the case was a
little known in town, a friend laid before me the
great inconvenience attending a passage in the
steerage; which, for a time appeared very discou
raging to me.

1 soon after went to bed, and my mind was un
der a deep exercise before the Lord, whose helping
hand was manifested to me as I slept that night*
and his love strengthened my heart. And in the
morning, I went with two friends on board the ves
sel again ; and after a short time spent therein, I
went with Samuel Emlen to the house of the owner,
to whom, in the hearing of Samuel only, I opened
my exercise, in substance as follows, in relation to
a scruple I felt with regard to a passage in the
cabin.

I told the owner, that on the outside of that part
of the ship where the cabin was, I observed sundry
sorts of carved work and imagery ; and that in the
cabin I observed some superfluity of workmanship
of several sorts; and that according to the ways of
men s reckoning, the sum of money to be paid for a
passage in that apartment., hath some relation to
the expense in furnishing it to please the minds of
such as gave way to a conformity to this world ;
and that in this case, as in other cases, the monies
received from the passengers are calculated to an
swer every expense relating to their passage, and

206

amongst the rest, of these superfluities ; and that
in that case, I felt a scruple with regard to paying
my money to defray such expenses.

As my mind was now opened, I told the owner,
that I had,, at several times in my travels, seen
great oppressions on this continent at which my
heart had been much affected, and brought into a
feeling of the state of the sufferers, and having many
times been engaged, in the fear and love of God, to
labour with those under whom the oppressed have
been borne down and afflicted; I have often per
ceived, that a view to get riches, and provide es
tates for children, to live conformable to customs,
which stand in that spirit wherein men have regard
to the honours of this world that in the pursuit of
these things, I had seen many entangled in the
spirit of oppression ; and the exercise of my soul
had been such, that I could not find peace, in join
ing in any thing which I saw was against that wis
dom which is pure.

After this, 1 agreed for a passage in the steerage ;
and hearing in town that Joseph White had a de
sire to see me, I felt the reviving of a desire to see
him, and went then to his house, and next day
home, where I tarried two nights. And then early
in the morning, I parted with my family, under a
sense of the humbling hand of God upon me, and
going to Philadelphia, had opportunity with seve
ral of my beloved friends, who appeared to be con
cerned for me, on account of the unpleasant situa
tion of that part of the vessel, where I was likely
to lodge.

207

In these opportunities, rny mind through the
mercies of the Lord., was kept low, in an inward
waiting for his help, and friends having expressed
their desire, that I might have a place more conve
nient than the steerage, did not urge, but appeared
disposed to leave me to the Lord.

Having staid two nights in Philadelphia, I went
the next day to Derby monthly meeting, where
through the strength of divine love, my heart was
enlarged toward the youth then present, under
which I was helped to labour in some tenderness of
spirit. Then lodging at William Horn s, I, with
one friend, went to Chester, where meeting with
Samuel Ernlen, we went on board, the first day of
the fifth month, 1772 : and as I sat down alone, on
a seat on the deck, I felt a satisfactory evidence,
that my proceedings were not in my own will, but
under the power of the cross of Christ.

Seventh day of the fifth month : have had rough
weather, mostly since I came on board, and the
passengers, James Reynolds, John Till Adams,
Sarah Logan and her hired maid, and John Bis-
pham, all sea-sick, more or less, at times ; from
which sickness, through the tender mercies of my
heavenly Father, I have been preserved, my afflic
tions now being of another kind.

There appeared an openness in the minds of the
ma.ster of the ship and in the cabin passengers to
ward me : we were often together on the deck, and
sometimes in the cabin.

My mind, through the merciful help of the Lord,
hath been preserved in a good degree watchful,

208

and inward ; and I have, this day, great cause to
be thankful, in that I remain to feel quietness of
mind.

As my lodging in the steerage, now near a week,
hath afforded me sundry opportunities of seeing,
hearing, and feeling, with respect to the life and
spirit of many poor sailors ; an inward exercise of
soul hath attended me, in regard to placing out
children and youth where they may be likely to be
exampled and instructed in the pure fear of the
Lord ; and I being much amongst the seamen, have
from a motion of love, sundry times taken opportu
nities, with one of them at a time alone, and in a
free conversation, laboured to turn their minds to
ward the fear of the Lord. And this day we had a
meeting in the cabin, where my heart was contrite
under a feeling of divine love.

Now concerning lads being trained up as sea
men, I believe a communication from one part of
the world to some other parts of it, by sea, is, at
times, consistent with the will of our heavenly Fa
ther ; and to educate some youth in the practice of
sailing, I believe may be light; but how lamenta
ble is the present corruption of the world ! How
impure are the channels through which trade hath
a conveyance ! How great is that danger, to which
poor lads are now exposed, when placed on ship
board to learn the art of sailing ?

Five lads, training up for the seas, were now on
board this ship ; two of them brought up amongst
our society, one of whom hath a right amongst
friends, by name James Naiior, to whose father

209

James Nailor, mentioned in Sewel s history, ap
pears to have been uncle.

I often feel a tenderness of heart toward these
poor lads ; and, at times, look at them as though
they were my children according to the flesh.

O that all may take heed and beware of covetous-
ness ! O that all may learn of Christ, who was meek
and low of heart ! Then, in faithfully following
him, he will teach us to be content with food and
raiment, without respect to the customs or honours
of this world.

Men thus redeemed, will feel a tender concern
for their fellow-creatures, and a desire that those in
the lowest stations may be assisted and encouraged,
and where owners of ships attain to the perfect law
of liberty, and are doers of the word, these will be
blessed in their deeds. ^V

A ship at sea commonly sails all night, and the
seamen take their watches four hours at a time.

Rising to work in the night, is not commonly
pleasant in any case ; but in dark rainy nights it is
very disagreeable, even though each man were fur
nished with all conveniences ; but if men must go
out at midnight to help to manage the ship in the
rain, and having small room to sleep and lay their
garments in, are often beset to furnish themselves
for the watch ; their garments or some thing relat
ing to their business being wanting, and not easily
found ; when from the urgency occasioned by high
winds, they are hastened and called up suddenly :
here is a trial of patience on the poor sailors, and
the poor lads their companions.

210

If after they have been on deck several hours in
the night, and come down in the steerage soaking
wet, and are so close stowed that proper conveni
ence for change of garments is not easily come at,
but for want of proper room their wet garments
thrown in heaps, and sometimes, through much
crowding, are trodden under foot in going to their
lodgings and getting out of them, and great diffi
culties, at times, each one to find his own : here
are trials on the poor sailors.

Now as 1 have been with them in my lodge, my
heart hath often yearned for them,, and tender desires
been raised in me, that all owners and masters of
vessels may dwell in the love of God, and therein
act uprightly, and by seeking less for gain, and
looking carefully to their ways, may earnestly la
bour to remove all cause of provocation from the
poor seamen, either to fret or use excess of strong
drink; for, indeed, the poor creatures, at times, in
the wot and cold, seem to apply to strong drink to
supply the want of other convenience.

Great reformation in the world is wanting, and
the necessity of it, amongst these who do business
on great waters, hath, at this time, been abundantly
opened before me.

The eighth day of the fifth month. This morn
ing the clouds gathered, the wind blew strong from
the south-eastward, and, before noon, increased to
that degree that sailing appeared dangerous. The
seamen then bound up some of their sails, and took
down some; and the storm increasing, they put the
dead lights, so called, into the cabin -windows, and
lighted a lamp as at night.

The wind now blew vehemently, and the sea
wrought to that degree, that an awful seriousness
prevailed in the cabin, in which I spent I believe,
about seventeen hours, for I believed the poor wet
toiling seamen, had need of all the room in the
crowded steerage, and the cabin passengers had
given me frequent invitations.

They ceased now from sailing, and put the ves
sel in the posture called lying-to.

My mind in this tempest, through the gracious
assistance of the Lord, was preserved in a good
degree of resignation ; and I felt, at times, a few
words in his love to my ship-mates, in regard to the
all-sufficiency of Him who formed the great deep,
and whose care is so extensive, that a sparrow falls
not without his notice; and thus, in a tender frame
of mind, spoke to them of the necessity of our
yielding, in true obedience to the instructions of our
heavenly Father, who sometimes, through adversi
ties, intendeth our refinement.

About eleven at night, I went out on the deck,
when the sea wrought exceedingly, and the high
foaming \vaves, all round about, had, in some sort,
the appearance of fire, but did not give much, if
any, light.

The sailor, then at the helm, said he lately saw a
corposant at the head of the mast.

About this time, I observed the master of the ship
ordered the carpenter to keep on the deck, and
though he said little, I apprehended his care was
that the carpenter with his axe might be in readi
ness in case of any extremity.

o2

212

Soon after this the vehemency of the wind abated,
and before morning, they again put the ship under
sail.

The tenth day of the month, and first of the
week, it being fine weather, we had a meeting in
the cabin, at which most of the seamen were pre
sent ; this meeting to me was a strengthening
time.

The thirteenth day of the month. As I continue
to lodge in the steerage, I feel an openness this
morning, to express something further of the state
of my mind, in respect to poor lads bound appren
tice to learn the art of sailing. As I believe sailing
is of some use in the world, a labour of soul attends
me, that the pure counsel of truth may be humbly
waited for in this case, by all concerned in the busi
ness of the seas.

A pious father, whose mind is exercised for the
everlasting welfare of his child, may not, with a
peaceable mind, place him out to an employment
amongst a people, whose common course of life is
manifestly corrupt and profane. So great is the pre
sent defect amongst seafaring men, in regard to
piety and virtue ; and through an abundant trailic,
and many ships of war, so many people are em
ployed on the sea, that this subject of placing iads
to the employment appears very weighty.

Profane examples are very corrupting, and very
forcible. And as my mind, day after day, and night
after night, hath been affected with a sympathizing
tenderness toward poor children, put to the em
ployment of sailors, I have sometimes had weighty

213

conversation with the sailors in the steerage,, who
were mostly respectful to me, and more and more
so the longer I was with them. They mostly ap
peared to take kindly what I said to them ; but
their minds have appeared to be so deeply impressed
with that almost universal depravity amongst sail
ors., that the poor creatures in their answers to me
on this subject, have revived in my remembrance,
that of the degenerate Jews a little before the cap
tivity, as repeated by Jeremiah the prophet, "There
is no hope/

Now under this exercise, a sense of the desire of
outward gain prevailing amongst us, hath felt
grievous ; and a strong call to the professed follow
ers of Christ, hath been raised in me ; that all may
take heed, lest through loving this present world,
they be found in a continued neglect of duty, with
respect to a faithful labour for a reformation.

Silence, as to every motion proceeding from the
love of money, and an humble waiting upon God,
to know his will concerning us, hath now appeared
necessary. He alone is able to strengthen us to
dig deep, to remove all which lies between us and
the safe foundation, and so direct us in our outward
employments, that pure universal love, may shine
forth in our proceedings.

Desires arising from the spirit of truth, are pure
desires, and when a mind divinely opened toward
a young generation, is made sensible of corrupting
examples, powerfully working, and extensively
spreading amongst them, how moving is the pros
pect.

A great trade to the coast of Africa for slaves, of
which I now heard frequent conversation amongst
the sailors !

A great trade in that which is raised and prepared
through grievous oppression !

A great trade in superfluity of workmanship,
formed to please the pride and vanity of people s
minds !

Great and extensive is that depravity which pre
vails amongst the poor sailors !

When I remember that saying of the Most
High, through his prophet, " This people have I
formed for myself; they shall show forth my
praise :" and think of placing children amongst
them, to learn the practice of sailing, the consistency
of it with a pious education, seems to me like that
mentioned by the prophet, " There is no answer
from God."

In a world of dangers and difficulties, like a de
solate thorny wilderness, how precious! how com
fortable ! how safe ! are the leadings of Christ, the
good shepherd, who said, " I know my sheep, and
am known of mine."

The sixteenth day of the month. Wind, for se
veral days past, often high, what the sailors call
squally, rough sea, and frequent rains. This last
night a very trying night to the poor seamen ; the
water, chief part of the night, running over the
main deck, and sometimes breaking waves came on
the quarter deck. The latter part of the night, as
I lay in bed, my mind was humbled under the power
of divine love ; and resignedness to the great Cre-

215

ator of the earth and the seas, renewedly wrought
in me, whose fatherly care over his children felt
precious to my soul ; and desires were now re
newed in me, to embrace every opportunity of being
inwardly acquainted with the hardships and diffi
culties of my fellow-creatures, and to labour in his
love for the spreading of pure universal righteous
ness on the earth. The opportunities being frequent
of hearing conversation amongst the sailors, in re
spect to the voyages to Africa, and the manner of
bringing the deeply oppressed slaves into our islands ;
and thoughts of their condition frequently in chains
and fetters on board the vessels, with hearts loaded
with grief, under the apprehensions of miserable
slavery ; my mind was frequently opened to medi
tate on these things.

On the seventeenth day of the month, and first
of the week, we had a meeting in the cabin, to
which the seamen generally came. My spirit was
contrite before the Lord, whose love at this time
affected iny heart.

This afternoon I felt a tender sympathy of soul,
with my poor wife and family left behind ; in which
state my heart was enlarged in desires, that they
may walk in that humble obedience wherein the
everlasting Father may be their guide and support
through all the difficulties in this world ; and a
sense of that gracious assistance through which rny
mind hath been strengthened to take up the cross
and leave them, to travel in the love of truth, hath
begotten thankfulness in my heart to our great
Helper,

216

On the twenty-fourth clay of the month,, and first
of the week, a clear pleasant morning: and as I
sat on deck, I felt a reviving in my nature, which,
through much rainy weather and high winds, being
shut up in a close unhealthy air, was weakened.

Several nights, of late, I felt breathing difficult ;
that a little after the rising of the second watch
(which is about midnight) I got up, and stood, I
believe near an hour, with my face near the hatch
way, to get the fresh air at the small vacancy under
the hatch-door, which is commonly shut down,
partly to keep out rain, and sometimes to keep the
breaking waves from dashing into the steerage.

I may, with thankfulness to the Father of Mer -
cies, acknowledge that, in my present weak state,
my mind hath been supported to bear the affliction
with patience ; and 1 have looked at the present
dispensation as a kindness from the great Father of
mankind, who, in this my floating pilgrimage, is in
some degree bringing me to feel that, which many
thousands of my fellow-creatures often suffer in a
greater degree.

My appetite failing, the trial hath been the hea
vier; and I have felt tender breathings in my soul
after God, the fountain of comfort, whose inward
help hath supplied, at times, the want of outward
convenience : and strong desires have attended me,
that his family, who are acquainted with the mov-
ings of his Holy Spirit, may be so redeemed from
the love of money, and from that spirit in which
men seek honour one of another, that in all busi-
ness 3 by sea or land, we may constantly keep in

217

view the coming of his kingdom on earth, as it is
in heaven ; and, by faithfully following this safe
guide, show forth examples tending to lead out of
that under which the creation groans.

This day we had a meeting in the cabin, in which
I was favoured in some degree to experience the
fulfilling of that saying of the prophet " The Lord
hath been a strength to the poor, a strength to the
needy in their distress;" for which my heart is
bowed in thankfulness before Him.

The twenty-eighth day of the month. Wet wea
ther of late, small winds inclining to calms. Our
seamen have cast a lead, I suppose about one hun
dred fathom, but find no bottom. Foggy weather
this morning?,

o

Through the kindness of the great Preserver of
men, my mind remains quiet ; and a degree of
exercise from day to day attends me, that the pure
peaceable government of Christ may spread and
prevail amongst mankind.

The leading on of a young generation in that
pure way, in which the wisdom of this world hath
no place ; where parents and tutors, humbly wait
ing for the heavenly Counsellor, may example them
in the truth, as it is in Jesus ; this, for several
days, hath been the exercise of my mind. O, how
safe, how quiet is that state, where the soul stands
in pure obedience to the voice of Christ, and a
watchful care is maintained, not to follow the voice
of the stranger !

Here Christ is telt to be our shepherd ; and under
his leading, people are brought to a stability : and

218

where He doth not lead forward,, we are bound iu
the bonds of pure love,, to stand still and wait upon
Him. In the love of money, and in the wisdom of
this world, business is proposed, then the urgency
of affairs push forward ; nor can the mind, in this
state, discern the good and perfect will of God con

cerning us.

The love of God is manifested in graciously
calling us to come out of that which stands in con
fusion ; but if we bow not in the name of Jesus ; if
we give not up those prospects of gain, which, in
the wisdom of this world, are open before us, but
say in our hearts, te I must needs go on ;" and in
going on, ff I hope to keep as near to the purity of
truth as the business before me will admit of ;"
here the mind remains entangled, and the shining
of the light of life into the soul is obstructed.

This query opens in my mind in the love of
Christ : Where shall a pious father place his son
apprentice, to be instructed in the practice of cross
ing the seas ; and have faith to believe that Christ,
our holy Shepherd, leads him to place his son there?

Surely the Lord calls to mourning and deep hu
miliation, that in his fear we may be instructed,
and led safely on through the great difficulties and
perplexities in this present age.

In an entire subjection of our wills, the Lord
graciously opens a way for his people, where all
their wants are bounded by his wisdom : and here
we experience the substance of what Moses the
prophet figured out in the water of separation, as a
purification from sin.

219

Esau is mentioned as a child red all over,, like a
hairy garment : in Esau is represented the natural
will of man. In preparing the water of separation,
a red heifer without blemish, on which there had
been no yoke, was to be slain, and her blood sprin
kled by the priest seven times toward the taber
nacle of the congregation : then her skin, her flesh,
and all pertaining to her, was to be burnt without
the camp ; and of her ashes the water was prepared .
Thus the crucifying the old man, or natural will,
as represented ; and hence comes a separation from
that carnal mind, which is death.

c( He who toucheth the dead body of a man, and
purifieth not himself with the water of separation,
he defileth the tabernacle of the Lord ; he is un
clean/ Numb. xix. 13.

If any, through the love of gain, go forth into
business, wherein they dwell as amongst the tombs,
and touch the bodies of those who are dead ; if
these, through the infinite love of God, feel the
power of the cross of Christ to crucify them to the
world, and therein learn humbly to follow the
divine leader : here is the judgment of this world
here the prince of this world is cast out.

The water of separation is felt; and though we
have been amongst the slain, and, through the
desire of gain, have touched the dead body of a
man; yet, in the purifying love of Christ, we are
washed in the water of separation, are brought off
from that business, from that gain, and from that
fellowship, which was not agreeable to his holy
will. And I have felt a renewed confirmation in

220

the time of this voyage, that the Lord, in his infi
nite love, is calling to his visited children, so to
give up all outward possessions,, and means of
getting treasures, that his Holy Spirit may have
free course in their hearts, and direct them in all
their proceedings.

To feel the substance pointed at in this figure,
man must know death, as to his own will.

" No man can see God and live." This was
spoken by the Almighty to Moses the prophet, and
opened by our blessed Redeemer.

As death comes on our own wills, arid new life is
formed in us, the heart is purified, and prepared to
understand clearly. " Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God." In purity of heart, the
mind is divinely opened to behold the nature of
universal righteousness, or the righteousness of the
kingdom of God. ff No man hath, seen the Father
save he that is of God ; he hath seen the Father."

The natural mind is active about the things of
this life ; and in this natural activity, business is
proposed, and a will in us to go forward in it. And
as long as this natural will remains unsubjected, so
long there remains an obstruction against the clear
ness of divine light operating in us; but when we
love God with all our heart, and with all our strength,
then, in this love, we love our neighbours as our
selves ; and a tenderness of heart is felt toward all
people for whom Christ died, even such who as to
outward circumstances may be to us as the Jews
were to the Samaritans. Who is rny neighbour? See
this question answered by our Saviour, Luke x. 30.

In this love we can say, that Jesus is the Lord ;
and the reformation in our souls, manifested in a
full reformation of our lives, wherein all things are
new, and all things are of God, 2 Cor. v. 18. ; in
this the desire of gain is subjected.

When employment is honestly followed in the
light of truth, and people become diligent in busi
ness, " fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Rom.
xii. II, here the name is opened: " This is the
name by which he shall be called, THE LORD
OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS/ Jer. xxiii. 6. Oh,
how precious is this name ! It is like ointment
poured out. The chaste virgins are in love with
the Redeemer ; and for promoting his peaceable
kingdom in the world, are content to endure hard
ness like good soldiers ; and are so separated in
spirit, from the desire of riches, that in their em
ployments they, become extensively careful to give
none offence, neither to Jews nor Heathen, nor to
the church of Christ.

On the thirty-first day of the month, and first of
the week, we had a meeting in the cabin, with near
all the ship s company, the whole being near thirty.
In this meeting the Lord, in mercy, favoured us
with the extending of his love.

The second day of the sixth month. Last even
ing, the seamen found bottom at about seventy
fathoms.

This morning, fair wind and pleasant. And as
I sat on deck, my heart was overcome with the love
of Christ, and melted into contrition before him ;
and, in this state, the prospect of that work, to

which I have felt my mind drawn when in my
native land, being in some degree opened before
me, I felt like a little child ; and my cries were put
up to my heavenly Father for preservation, that in
an humble dependence on Him, my soul may be
strengthened in his love,, and kept inwardly waiting
for his counsel.

This afternoon, we saw that part of England
called the Lizard.

Some dunghill fowls yet remained of those the
passengers took for their sea-store ; I believe about
fourteen perished in the storms at sea,, by the waves
breaking over the quarter-deck ; and a considerable
number with sickness, at, different times. I ob
served the cocks crew coming down the Delaware,
and while we were near the land ; but afterward, I
think, I did not hear one of them crow till we came
near the land in England, when they again crowed
a few times.

In observing their dull appearance at sea, and
the pining sickness of some of them, I often remem
bered the fountain of goodness, who gave being to
ail creatures, and whose love extends to that of
caring for the sparrows ; and believe, where the
love of God is verily perfected, and the true spirit
of government watchfully attended to, a tender
ness toward all creatures made subject to us will
be experienced ; and a care felt in us, that we do
not lessen that sweetness of life, in the animal cre
ation,, which the great Creator intends for them
under our government.

The fourth day of the month. Wet weather.

high winds, and so dark that we could see but a little
way. I perceived our seamen were apprehensive of
danger of missing the channel,, which I understood
was narrow. In a while, it grew lighter ; and they
saw the land, and they knew where we were.
Thus the Father of mercies was pleased to try us
with the sight of dangers ; and then graciously,
from time to time,, deliver from them : thus sparing
our lives, that in humility and reverence we may
walk before Him, and put our trust in Him.

About noon a pilot came off from Dover, where
my beloved friend Samuel Ernlen went on shore,
and thence to London, about seventy-two miles by
land ; but I felt easy in staying in the ship.

The seventh day of the month, and first of the
week. Clear morning, lay at anchor for the tide,
and had a parting meeting with the ship s com
pany, in which my heart was enlarged in a fervent
concern for them, that they may come to experience
salvation through Christ, Had a head-wind up the
Thames ; lay sometimes at anchor ; saw many ships
passing, and some at anchor near ; and had large
opportunity of feeling the spirit in which the poor
bewildered sailors too generally live. That lament
able degeneracy, which so much prevails on the
people employed on the seas, so affected my heart,
that I may not easily convey the feeling I have had
to another.

The present state of the seafaring life in general,
appears so opposite to that of a pious education ;
so full of corruption, and extreme alienation from
God ; so full of examples, the most dangerous to

224:

young people, that in looking toward a young ge
neration, I feel a care for them, that they may have
an education different from the present education of
lads at sea; and that all of us, who are acquainted
with the pure gospel spirit, may lay this case to
heart, may remember the lamentable corruptions
which attend the conveyance of merchandize across
the seas, and so abide in the love of Christ, that
being delivered from the love of money, from the
entangling expenses of a curious, delicate, luxurious,
life, we may learn contentment with a little ; and
promote the seafaring life no further than that
spirit, which leads into all truth, attends us in our
proceedings.

225

CHAP. XII.

His attending the yearly meeting in London-, and
after it, proceeding towards Yorkshire, visiting
several quarterly and other meetings in the coun
ties of Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham,
York, and Westmoreland ; and thence again into
Yorkshire, and to the city of York; with some
instructive thoughts and observations, and letters
on divers subjects His hearing of the decease of
William Hunt ; and some account of him His
sickness at York; and end of his pilgrimage
there.

ON the eighth day of the sixth month, 1772, we
landed at London, and I went straightway to the
yearly meeting of ministers and elders, which had
been gathered (1 suppose) about half an hour.

In this meeting, my mind was humbly contrite.
In the afternoon, the meeting for business opened,
which by adjournments, held near a week. In
these meetings, I often felt a living concern for the
establishment of friends in the pure life of truth.
And my heart was enlarged in the meeting of
ministers, meeting of business, and in several meet
ings for public worship; and I felt my mind united
in true love, to the faithful labourers now gathered
at this yearly meeting.

p

226

On the fifteenth day of the month, I left London,
and went to a quarterly meeting at Hertford.

The first day of the seventh month. I have been
at quarterly meetings at Sherrington, Northamp
ton, Banbury, and Shipston ; and had sundry meet
ings between. My mind hath been bowed under a
sense of divine goodness manifested amongst us ;
my heart hath been often enlarged in true love, both
amongst ministers and elders, and in public meet
ings ; that through the Lord s goodness, I believe
it hath been a fresh visitation to many, in particular
to the youth.

The seventeenth day of the month. Was this
day at Birmingham : have been at meetings at Co
ventry, Warwick, in Oxfordshire, and sundry other
places, have felt the humbling hand of the Lord
upon me ; and through his tender mercies find peace
in the labours I have gone through.

The twenty-sixth day of the month. I have con
tinued travelling northward, visiting meetings.
Was this day at Nottingham, which in the forenoon
especially, was through divine love, a heart-tender
ing season. Next day had. a meeting in a friend s
house with friends children and some friends ; this,
through the strengthening arm of the Lord, was a
time to be thankfully remembered.

The second day of the eighth month, and first of
the week, was this day at Sheffield, a large inland
town. Have been at sundry meetings last week,
and feel inward thankfulness for that divine sup
port, which hath been graciously extended to me.
The ninth day of the month and the first of the

week, was at Rush worth. Have lately passed
through some painful labour ; but have been com
forted under a sense of that divine visitation,, which
I feel extended toward many young people.

The sixteenth day of the month, and first of the
week, was at Settle. It hath of late been a time of
inward poverty ; under which, my mind hath been
preserved in a watchful tender state, feeling for the
mind of the holy Leader, arid find peace in the
labours I have passed through.

On inquiry, in many places, I find the price of
rye about five shillings, wheat about eight shillings,
per bushel ; oatmeal twelve shillings for a hundred
and twenty pounds ; mutton from threepence to
fivepence per pound ; bacon from sevenpence to
ninepence ; cheese from fourpence to sixpence ; but
ter from eightpence to tenpence ; house-rent, for a
poor man, from twenty-five shillings to forty shil
lings per year, to be paid weekly ; wood for fire
very scarce and dear ; coal in some places, two
shillings and sixpence per hundred weight ; but
near the pits not a quarter so much. O may the
wealthy consider the poor !

The wages of labouring men, in several counties
toward London, is tenpence per day in common
business, the employer finds small beer, and the la
bourer finds his own food ; but in harvest and hay
time, wages are about one shilling per day, and the
labourer hath all his diet. In some parts of the
north of England, poor labouring men have their
food where they work, and appear, in common, to do
rather better than nearer London. Industrious wo-

228

men, who spin in the factories get some fourpence,
some fivepence, and so on to six, seven, eight, nine
or tenpence per day, and find their own house-room
and diet. Great numbers of poor people live chiefly
on bread and water, in the southern parts of Eng
land, and some in the northern parts ; and there
are many poor children not taught even to read.
May those who have plenty, lay these things to
heart !

Stage coaches frequently go upwards of an hun
dred miles in twenty-four hours ; and I have heard
friends say, in several places, that it is common for
horses to be killed with hard driving, and many
others driven till they grow blind.

Postboys pursue their business, each one to his
stage, all night through the winter. Some boys,
who ride long stages, suffer greatly on winter nights,
and at several places, I have heard of their being
frozen to death. So great is the hurry in the spirit
of this world, that in aiming to do business quickly,
and to gain wealth, the creation, at this day, doth
loudly groan !

As my journey hath been without a horse, I have
had several offers of being assisted on my way in
these stage coaches, but have not been in them :
nor have I had freedom to send letters by these
posts, in the present way of their riding; the stages
being so fixed, and one boy dependent on another,
as to time, that they commonly go upwards of one
hundred miles in twenty-four hours ; and in cold
long winter nights, the poor boys suffer much.
I heard in America of the way of these posts ;

229

and cautioned friends in the general meeting of mi
nisters and elders at Philadelphia, and in the yearly
meeting of ministers and elders at London, not to
send letters to me on any common occasion by
post. And though, on this account, I may be
likely to hear seldomer from my family left behind ;
yet for righteousness sake, I arn, through divine
favour made content.

1 have felt great distress of mind, since I came on
this island, on account of the members of our so
ciety being mixed with the world in various sorts
of business and traffic, carried on in impure chan
nels. Great is the trade to Africa for slaves ! and in
loading these ships, abundance of people are em
ployed in their factories ; amongst whom are many
of our society. Friends, in early times, refused on a
religious principle, to make our trade in superflui
ties ; of which, we have many large testimonies on
record : but for want of faithfulness, some gave
way ; even some, whose examples were of note in
our society ; and from thence others took more
liberty. Members of our society worked in super
fluities, and bought and sold them ; and thus dim
ness of sight came over many : at length, friends
got into the use of some superfluities in dress, and in
the furniture of their houses ; and this hath spread
from less to more, till superfluity of some Hinds is
common amongst us.

In this declining state, many look at the exam
ple one of another, and too much neglect the pure
feeling of truth. Of late years, a deep exercise hath

230

attended my mind, that friends may dig deep, may
carefully cast forth the loose matter., and get down
to the Rock, the sure foundation, arid there hearken
to that divine voice which gives a clear and certain
sound ; and I have felt in that which doth not de
ceive, that if friends, who have known the truth,
keep in that tenderness of heart, where all views
of outward gain are given up, and their trust is only
on the Lord, he will graciously lead some to be
patterns of deep self-denial in things relating to
trade and handicraft labour : and that some, who
have plenty of the treasures of this world, will ex
ample in a plain frugal life, and pay wages to such
whom they may hire, more liberally than is now
customary in some places.

The twenty-third day of the month, was this day
at Preston Patrick, and had a comfortable meeting.
I have several times been entertained at the houses
of friends, who had sundry things about them
which had the appearance of outward greatnesss ;
and as I have kept inward, way hath opened for
conversation with such in private, in which divine
goodness hath favoured us together, with heart-
tendering times.

The twenty-sixth day of the month. Being now
at George Crossfield s, in the county of Westmore
land, I feel a concern to commit to writing, that
which to me hath been a case uncommon.

In a time of sickness with the pleurisy, a little
upward of two years and a half ago, I was brought
so near the gates of death, that I forgot my name.

231

Being 1 then desirous to know who I was, I saw a
mass of matter of a dull gloomy colour, between the
south and the east; and was informed that this
mass was human beings in as great misery as they
could be, and live, and that I was mixed with them,
and that henceforth I might not consider myself as
a distinct or separate being. In this state I re
mained several hours. I then heard a soft melodi
ous voice, more pure and harmonious than any I
had heard with my ears before; I believed it was
the voice of an angel, who spake to the other an
gels : the words were " John Woolman is dead."
I soon remembered that I once was John Woolrnan,
and being assured that I was alive in the body, I
greatly wondered what that heavenly voice could
mean.

I believed beyond doubting that it was the voice
of an holy angel, but as yet it was a mystery to me.

I was then carried in spirit to the mines, where
poor oppressed people were digging rich treasures
for those called Christians ; and heard them blas
pheme the name of Christ, at which I was grieved;
for his name to me was precious.

Then I was informed that these heathens were
told, that those who oppressed them were the fol
lowers of Christ ; and they said amongst themselves,
if Christ directed them to use us in this sort, then
Christ is a cruel tyrant.

All this time the song of the angel remained a
mystery; and in the morning, my dear wife and
some others coming to my bedside, I asked them

if they knew who I was ; and they telling me I
was John Woolman, thought I was light-headed :
for I told them not what the angel said, nor was I
disposed to talk much to any one, but was very de-
sirious to get so deep, that I might understand this
mystery.

My tongue was often so dry, that I could not
speak till I had moved it about and gathered some
moisture, and as I lay still for a time, at length I
felt divine power prepare rny mouth that I could
speak ; and then I said, " I am crucified with Christ,
nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ that liveth
in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, is by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave
himself for me."

Then the mystery was opened, and I perceived
there was joy in heaven over a sinner who had re
pented ; and that that language (John Woolman
is dead) meant no more than the death of my own

Soon after this I coughed, and raised much
bloody matter, which I had not done during this
vision. And now my natural understanding returned
as before. Here I saw, that people s getting silver
vessels to set off their tables at entertainments, was
often stained with worldly glory ; and that in the
present state of things, I should take heed how I fed
myself from out of silver vessels.

Soon after my recovery, I, going to our monthly
meeting, dined at a friend s house where drink was
brought in silver vessels, and not in any other ;

233

and I, wanting some drink, told him my case with
weeping. And he ordered some drink for me in
another vessel.

The like I afterwards went through in several
friends houses in America, and have also in Eng
land, since I came here ; and have cause, with hum
ble reverence, to acknowledge the loving kindness
of my heavenly Father, who hath preserved me in
such a tender frame of mind, that none, I believe,
have ever been offended at what I have said on that
occasion.

After this sickness, I spake not in public meet
ings for worship for near one year ; but my mind
was very often in company with the oppressed
slaves, as I sat in meetings : and though, under this
dispensation, I was shut up from speaking, yet the
spring of the gospel ministry was, many times, liv-
ingly opened in me, and the divine gift operated
by abundance of weeping, in feeling the oppression
of this people. It being so long since I passed
through this dispensation, and the matter remain
ing fresh and livingly in my mind, I believe it safest
for me to commit it to writing.

The thirtieth day of the month. This morning
I wrote a letter, in substance as follows :

" Beloved friend,

" MY mind is often affected as I pass along, under
a sense of the state of many poor people,, who sit
under that sort of ministry which requires much
outward labour to support it ; and the loving-kind
ness of our heavenly Father, in opening a pure

234

gospel ministry in this nation, hath often raised
thankfulness in my heart to Him. I often remem
ber the conflicts of the faithful under persecution,
and now look at the free exercise of the pure gift
uninterrupted by outward laws, as a trust commit
ted to us ; which requires our deepest gratitude,
and most careful attention. I feel a tender concern,
that the work of reformation, so prosperously car
ried on in this land within a few ages past, may go
forward and spread amongst the nations ; and may
not go backward, through dust gathering on our
garments, who have been called to a work so great
and so precious.

a Last evening I had a little opportunity at thy
house, with some of thy family, in thy absence, in
which I rejoiced; and feeling a sweetness on my
mind toward thee, I now endeavour to open a little
of the feeling I had there.

" I have heard that you in these parts, have at
certain seasons, meetings of conference, in relation
to friends living up to our principles, in which
several meetings unite in one, with which I feel
unity. I having, in some measure, felt truth lead
that way amongst friends in America; and have
found, my dear friend, that in these labours all su
perfluities in our own living, are against us. I feel
that pure love toward thee, in which there is free
dom.

" I look at that precious gift bestowed on thee,
with awfulness before Him who gave it ; and feel a
care, that we may be so separated to the gospel of

235

Christ,, that those things ^hich proceed from the
spirit of this world^ may have no place amongst us;

" Thy friend,

" JOHN WOOLMAN."

I rested a few days, in body and mind,, with our
friend Jane Crossfield ; who was once in America.
Was on the sixth day of the week at Kendal in
Westmoreland ; and atGreyrig meeting the thirtieth
day of the month., and first of the week.

I have known poverty of late, and been graciously
supported to keep in the patience : and am thankful,,
under a sense of the goodness of the Lord toward
those that are of a contrite spirit.

The sixth day of the ninth month, and first of the
week, was this day at Counterside ; a large meeting
house, and very full. And through the opening of
pure love, it was a strengthening time to me, and (I
believe) to many more,

The thirteenth day of the month. Was tnis day
at Leyburn, a small meeting ; but the town s peo
ple coming in, the house was crowded. It was a
time of heavy labour, and (I believe) was a profit
able meeting.

At this place I heard that my kinsman William
Hunt from North Carolina, who was on a religious
visit to friends in England, departed this life on the
ninth day of the nine month, instant, of the small
pox, at Newcastle. He appeared in the ministry
when a youth, and his labours therein were of good
savour. He travelled much in that work in Ame
rica. I once heard him say in public testimony,

236

(hat his concern was (in that visit) to be devoted to
the service of Christ so fully,, that he might not
spend one minute in pleasing himself; which words
joined with his example, was a means of stirring up
the pure mind in me.

Having of late travelled often in wet weather,
through narrow streets in towns and villages, where
dirtiness under foot, and the scent arising from that
filth, which more or less infects the air of all thick
settled towns, were disagreeable ; and I being but
weakly, have felt distress both in body and mind
with that which is impure.

In these journies I have been where much cloth
hath been dyed ; and sundry times walked over
ground where much of their dye-stuffs have drained
away.

Here I have felt a longing in my mind, that
people might come into cleanness of spirit, clean
ness of person, cleanness about their houses and
garments.

Some who are great carry delicacy to a great
height themselves, and yet the real cleanliness is
not generally promoted. Dyes being invented
partly to please the eye, and partly to hide dirt, I
have felt in this weak state, travelling in dirtiness
and affected with unwholesome scents, a strong de
sire that the nature of dyeing cloth to hide dirt may
be more fully considered.

To hide dirt in our garments, appears opposite
to real cleanliness.

To wash garments and keep them sweet, this ap
pears cleanly.

237

Through giving way to hiding dirt in our gar
ments, a spirit which would cover that which is dis
agreeable is strengthened.

Real cleanness becometh a holy people ; but
hiding that which is not clean by colouring our
garments, appears contrary to the sweetness of sin
cerity.

Through some sorts of dyes, cloth is less useful.
And if the value of dye stuffs, the expense of dyeing,
and the damage done to cloth, were all added to
gether, and that expense applied to keep all sweet
and clean, how much more cleanly would people be.
On this visit to England, I have felt some instruc
tions sealed on my mind, which I am concerned
to leave in writing, for the use of such as are
called to the station of a minister of Christ.

Christ being the Prince of peace, and we being
no more than ministers, I (hid it necessary for us,
not only to feel a concern in our first going forth,
but to experience the renewing thereof, in the ap
pointment of meetings.

1 felt a concern in America, to prepare for this
voyage; and being through the mercy of God,
brought safe here, rny heart was like a vessel that
wanted vent ; and for several weeks at first, when
my mouth was opened in meetings, it often felt
like the raising of a gate in a water-course, where a
weight of water lay upon it, and in these labours
there appeared a fresh visitation to many, espe
cially the youth: but sometimes after this, I felt
empty and poor, and yet felt a necessity to appoint
meetings

238

In this state I was exercised to abide in the pure
life of truth, and in all rny labours to watch dili
gently against the motions of self in my own
mind.

I have frequently felt a necessity to stand up,
when the spring of the ministry was low, and to
speak from the necessity, in that which subjecteth
the will of the creature ; and herein I was united
with the suffering seed, and found inward sweetness
in these mortifying labours.

As I have been preserved in a watchful attention
to the divine leader, under these dispensations, en
largement at times hath followed, and the power of
truth hath risen higher in some meetings, than 1 ever
knew it before through me.

Thus I have been more and more instructed, as
to the necessity of depending, not upon a concern
which I felt in America, to come on a visit to Eng
land ; but upon the fresh instructions of Christ, the
Prince of peace, from day to day.

Now of late, 1 felt a stop in the appointment of
meetings, not wholly, but in part ; and I do not feel
liberty to appoint them so quick one after another
as I have heretofore.

The work of the ministry, being a work of divine
love, 1 feel that the openings thereof are to be waited
for in all our appointments.

Oh how deep is divine wisdom ! Christ puts forth
his ministers, and goeth before them; and oh how
great is the danger of departing from the pure feel
ing of that which leadeth safely !

Christ knoweth the state of the people, and in the

239

pure feeling of the gospel ministry, their states are
opened to his servants.

Christ knoweth when the fruit-bearing branches
themselves have need of purging.

Oh; that these lessons may be remembered by
me ! and that all who appoint meetings may pro
ceed in the pure feeling of duty !

I have sometimes felt a necessity to stand up,
but that spirit which is of the world hath so much
prevailed in many,, and the pure life of truth been
so pressed down,, that I have gone forward, not as
one travelling in a road cast up arid well prepared,
but as a man walking through a miry place,, in
which are stones here and there,, safe to step on, but
so situated that one step being taken, time is ne
cessary to see where to step next.

Now I find that, in the pure obedience, the mind
learns contentment, in appearing weak and foolish
to that wisdom which is of the world ; and in these
lowly labours, they who stand in a low place,
rightly exercised under the cross, will find nourish
ment.

The gift is pure ; and while the eye is single in
attending thereto, the understanding is preserved
clear ; self is kept out. We rejoice in filling up that
which remains of the afflictions of Christ, for his
body s sake, which is the church.

The natural man loveth eloquence, and many
love to hear eloquent orations; and, if there is not
a careful attention to the gift, men who have once
laboured in the pure gospel ministry, growing weary
of suffering, and ashamed of appearing weak, may

240

kindle a fire., compass themselves about with sparks,
and walk in the light ; not of Christ who is under
suffering,, but of that fire which they, going from the
gift,, have kindled : and that in hearers, which is
gone from the meek,, suffering, state into the worldly
wisdom, may be warmed with this fire, and speak
highly of these labours. That which is of God
gathers to God ; and that which is of the world is
owned by the world.

In this journey a labour hath attended my mind,
that the ministers amongst us may be preserved,, in
the meek, feeling, life of truth, where we may have
no desire but to follow Christ and be with him ; that
when he is under suffering we may suffer with him ;
and never desire to rise up in dominion, but as he,
by the virtue of his own spirit, may raise us.

A FEW days after writing these considerations,
our dear friend, in the course of his religious visits,
came to the city of York, and attended most of the
sittings of the quarterly meeting there ; but before
it was over, was taken ill of the small-pox. Our
friend Thomas Priestman, and others who attended
him, preserved the following minutes of his ex
pressions in the time of his sickness, and of his
decease.

First day, the 27th of the ninth month, 1772.
His disorder appeared to be the small-pox* Being
asked to have a doctor s advice, he signified he had
not freedom or liberty in his mind so to do, stand
ing wholly resigned to his will, who gave him life,

9A\

- -,-r f > fl-f i ^ ? "

and whose power he had witnessed to raise and heal
him in sickness before, when he seemed nigh unto
death ; and if he was to wind up now, he was per
fectly resigned, having no will either to live or die,
and did not choose any should be sent for to him :
but a young man, an apothecary,, coming of his own
accord the next day, and desiring to do something
for him, he said he found a freedom to confer with
him and the other friends about him, and if any
thing should be proposed as to medicine, that did
not come through defiled channels or oppressive
hands, he should be willing to consider and take it,
so far as he found freedom.

Second day. He said he felt the disorder to af
fect his head, so that he could think little, and
but as a child; and desired, if his understanding
should be more affected, to have nothing given him
that those about him knew he had a testimony
against.

Third day. He uttered the following prayer:
ec O Lord, my God, the amazing horrors of darkness
were gathered around me and covered me all over,
and I saw no way to go forth ; I felt the depth and
extent of the misery of my fellow-creatures sepa
rated from the divine harmony, and it was heavier
than I could bear, and I was crushed down under
it ; I lifted up my hand, I stretched out my arm, but
there was none to help me; I looked roundabout,
and was amazed. In the depths of misery, O Lord !
I remembered that thou art omnipotent ; that I had
called thee Father; and I felt that I loved thee, and
I was made quiet in thy will, and I waited fordeli-

Q

242

verance from thee. Thou hadst pity upon me when
no man could help me ; I saw that meekness under
suffering* was showed to us in the most affecting
example of thy Son, and thou taught me to follow
him, and I said, " Thy will, O Father, be done !"

Fourth-day morning, being asked how he felt
himself, he meekly answered, I don t know that I
have slept this night ; I feel the disorder making its
progress, but my mind is mercifully preserved in
stillness and peace. Some time after, he said he
was sensible the pains of death must be hard to
bear, but if he escaped them now, he must sometime
pass through them, and he did not know that he
could be better prepared, but had no will in it. He
said he had settled his outward affairs to his mind,
had taken leave of his wife and family as never to
return, leaving them to the divine protection ;
adding, Cf though I feel them near to me at this
time, yet I freely give them up, having a hope that
they will be provided for." And a little after said,
e This trial is made easier than I could have thought,
my will being wholly taken away; for if I was
anxious for the event it would have been harder,
but I am not, and my mind enjoys a perfect calm/

In the night, a young woman having given him
something to drink, he said, {C My child, thou seem-
est very kind to me a poor creature, the Lord will
reward thee for it." A while after he cried out,
with great earnestness of spirit, " Oh, my Father!
my Father!" and soon after he said, (f Oh, my
Father! my Father! how comfortable art thou to
my soul in this trying season!" Being asked if he

243

could take a little nourishment,, after some pause,
he replied, <{ My child, I cannot tell what to say to
it; I seem nearly arrived where my soul shall have
rest from all its troubles/ After giving in some
thing to be inserted in his journal, he said, "I believe
the Lord will now excuse me from exercises of this
kind ; and I see no work but one, which is to be
the last wrought by rne in this world ; the messen
ger will come that will release me from all these
troubles, but it must be in the Lord s time, which
I am waiting for." He said he had laboured to do
whatever was required, according to the ability
received, in the remembrance of which he had
peace ; and though the disorder was strong at times,
and would like a whirlwind come over his mind,
yet it had hitherto been kept steady, and centered
in everlasting love; adding, and if that be merci
fully continued, I ask nor desire no more. Another
time he said, he had long had a view of visiting
this nation, arid sometime before he came had a
dream, in which he saw himself in the northern
parts of it, and that the spring of the gospel was
opened in him much as in the beginning of friends,
such as George Fox and William Dewsbury, and
he saw the different states of the people, as clear as
he had ever seen flowers in a garden ; but in his
going along he was suddenly stopped, though he
could not see for what end ; but looking towards
home, fell into a flood of tears, which waked him.

At another time he said, ef My draught seemed
strongest towards the North, and I mentioned in
my own monthly meeting, that attending the quar-

44

terly meeting at York, and being there looked like
home to me."

Fifth-day night, having repeatedly consented to
take medicine with a view to settle his stomach, but
without effect ; the friend then waiting on him said,
through distress, What shall I do now ? He an
swered, with great composure, " Rejoice evermore,
and in every thing give thanks;" but added a little
after, fC This is sometimes hard to come at."

Sixth-day morning he broke forth early in sup
plication on this wise : " O Lord, it was thy power
that enabled me to forsake sin in my youth, and I
have felt thy bruises for disobedience ; but as I
bowed under them thou healedst me, continuing a
father and a friend ; I feel thy power now, and I
beg that in the approaching trying moment Thou
wilt keep my heart steadfast unto thee." Upon his
giving directions to a friend concerning some little
things, she said, " I will take care, but hope thou wilt
live to order them thyself? He replied, fc My hope
is in Christ, and though I may seern a little better,
a change in the disorder may soon happen, and my
little strength be dissolved, and if it so happens, I
shall be gathered to my everlasting rest." On her
saying she did not doubt that, but could not help
mourning to see so many faithful servants removed
at so low a time, he said, cc All good cometh from the
Lord, whose power is the same, and can work as He
sees best." The same day he had given directions
about wrapping his corpse; perceiving a friend to
weep, he said, <f I would rather thou wouldst guard
against weeping for me, my sister ; I sorrow not,

245

though I have had some painful conflicts, but now
they seem over and matters well settled, and I look
at the face of my dear Redeemer, for sweet is his
voice, and his countenance is comely/

First-day, fourth of the tenth month, being very
weak, and in general difficult to be understood, he
uttered a few words in commemoration of the Lord s
goodness ; and added, " How tenderly have I been
waited on in this time of affliction, in which I may
say, in Job s words, Tedious days and wearisome
nights are appointed unto me ; and how many are
spending their time and money in vanity and super-
iluities, while thousands and tens of thousands want
the necessaries of life, who might be relieved by
them; and their distresses, at such a time as this,
in some degree softened by the administering suit
able things."

Second-day morning, the apothecary, who ap
peared very anxious to assist him, being present,
he queried about the probability of such a load of
matter being thrown off his weak body, and the
apothecary making some remarks, implying he
thought it might; he spoke with an audible voice
on this wise : " My dependence is on the Lord Jesus,
who I trust will forgive my sins, which is all I hope
for; and, if it be his will to raise up this body
again, I am content ; and if to die, I am resigned ;
and if thou canst not be easy without trying to
assist nature, I submit." After which, his throat was
so much affected, that it was very difficult for him
to speak so as to be understood, and he frequently
wrote when he wanted any thing. About the se-

246

cond hour on the fourth-day morning, he asked for
pen and ink, and at several times,, with much diffi
culty, wrote thus: (f I believe my being here is in
the wisdom of Christ ; I know not as to life or
death/

About a quarter before six, the same morning, he
seemed to fall into an easy sleep, which continued
about half an hour, when, seeming to awake, he
breathed a few times with more difficulty, and ex
pired without sigh, groan, or struggle.

END OF THE JOURNAL.

THE

WORKS

OF

JOHN WOOLMAN,

CONSISTING OF

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE KEEPING OF NEGROES,
REFLECTIONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS,

AND

AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY
MEETINGS OF FRIENDS.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE

KEEPING OF NEGROES.

Recommended to the Professors of Christianity of
every Denomination.

[First Printed in the Year 1754.]

PART THE FIRST.

INTRODUCTION.

CUSTOMS generally approved, and opinions re
ceived by youth from their superiors, become, like
the natural produce of a soil, especially when
they are suited to favourite inclinations ; but, as
the judgments of God are without partiality, by
which the state of the soul must be tried, it would
be the highest wisdom to forego customs and popu
lar opinions, and try the treasures of the soul by
the infallible standard, truth.

Natural affection needs a careful examination.
Operating upon us in a soft manner, it kindles de
sires of love and tenderness,, and there is danger of
taking it for something higher. To me it appears
an instinct like that which inferior creatures have ;
each of them, we see, by the ties of nature, love
self best ; that which is a part of self, they love by
the same tie or instinct. In them, it, in some mea-

250

sure, does the offices of reason by which, among
other things, they watchfully keep and orderly feed
their helpless offspring. Thus natural affection
appears to be a branch of self-love, good in the ani
mal race, in us likewise with proper limitations ;
but otherwise is productive of evil, by exciting
desires to promote some by means prejudicial to
others.

Our blessed Saviour seems to give a check to this
irregular fondness in nature, and, at the same time,
a precedent for us : " Who is my mother, and who
are my brethren?" thereby intimating, that the
earthly ties of relationship are, comparatively in
considerable to such, who, through a steady course
of obedience, have come to the happy experience of
the Spirit of God bearing witness with their spirits
that they are his children : C( And he stretched forth
his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold my
mother, and my brethren : for whosoever shall do
the will of my Father which is in heaven/ (arrives
at the more noble part of true relationship,) cc the
same is my brother, and sister, and mother,"
Matt. xii. 49.

This doctrine agrees well with a state truly com
plete, where love necessarily operates according to
the agreeableness of things on principles unalterable
and in themselves perfect.

If endeavouring to have my children eminent
amongst men after my death, be that which no rea
sons grounded on these principles can be brought
to support ; then to be temperate in rny pursuit
after gain, and to keep always within the bounds of

251

these principles, is an indispensable duty, and to
depart from it, a dark, unfruitful toil.

In our present condition, to love our children is
needful ; but except this love proceeds from the
true heavenly principle which sees beyond earthly
treasures, it will rather be injurious than of any real
advantage to them. Where the fountain is corrupt,
the streams must necessarily be impure.

That important injunction of our Saviour, (Matt,
vi. 33.) with the promise annexed, contains a short
but comprehensive view of our duty and happiness.
If then the business of mankind in this life is, to first
seek another ; if this cannot be done, but by attend
ing to the means ; if a summary of the means is, not
to do that to another which, in like circumstances,
we would riot have done unto us, then these are
points of moment, and worthy of our most serious
consideration.

What I write on this subject is with reluctance,
and the hints given are in as general terms as my
concern would allow. I know it is a point about
which, in all its branches, men that appear to aim
well are not generally agreed ; and, for that reason,
I chose to avoid being very particular. If I may
happily have let drop any thing that may excite such
as are concerned in the practice to a close thinking
on the subject treated of, the candid amongst them
may easily do the subject such further justice, as, on
an impartial inquiry, it may appear to deserve; and
such an inquiry I would earnestly recommend.

SOME

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me ." MATT. xxv. 40.

As many times there are different motives to the
same actions ; and one does that from a generous
heart, which another does for selfish ends ; the like
may be said in this case.

There are various circumstances among them
that keep negroes, and different ways by which they
fall under their care ; and I doubt not, there are
many well-disposed persons amongst them who de
sire rather to manage wisely and justly in this diffi
cult matter, than to make gain of it.

13 ut the general disadvantage which these poor
Africans lie under in an enlightened Christian coun
try, having often filled me with real sadness, and
been like undigested matter on my mind, I now
think it my duty, through divine aid, to offer some
thoughts thereon to the consideration of others.

When we remember that all nations are of one
blood, Gen. iii. 20. that in this world we are but
sojourners, that we are subject to the like afflictions
and infirmities of body, the like disorders and frail
ties of mind, the like temptations, the same death,
and the same judgment,, and, that the allwise Being

253

is Judge and Lord over us all, it seems to raise an
idea of a general brotherhood, and a disposition
easy to be touched with a feeling of each other s
afflictions ; but when we forget these things, and
look chiefly at our outward circumstances, in this
and some ages past, constantly retaining in our
minds the distinction betwixt us and them, with
respect to our knowledge and improvement in
things divine, natural and artificial, our breasts
being apt to be filled with fond notions of superi
ority, there is danger of erring in our conduct to
ward them.

We allow them to be of the same species with
ourselves, the odds is, we are in a higher station,,
and enjoy greater favours than they. And when it
is thus, that our heavenly Father endoweth some
of his children with distinguished gifts, they are in
tended for good ends ; but if those thus gifted are
thereby lifted up above their brethren, not consider
ing themselves as debtors to the weak, nor behav
ing themselves as faithful stewards, none who
judge impartially can suppose them free from in
gratitude.

When a people dwell under the liberal distribu-
tion of favours from heaven, it behoves them care
fully to inspect their ways, and consider the pur
poses for which those favours were bestowed, lest
through forgetfulness of God, and misusing his gifts,
they incur his heavy displeasure, whose judgments
are just and equal, who exalteth and humbleth to
the dust as He seeth meet.

It appears by holy record, that men under high

254

favours have been apt to err in their opinions con
cerning others. Thus Israel, according to the de
scription of the prophet, Isa. Ixv. 5. when exceed
ingly corrupted and degenerated,, yet remembered
they were the chosen people of God ; and could
say, ce Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I
am holier than .thou." That this was no chance
language, but their common opinion of other peo
ple, more fully appears, by considering the circum
stances which attended, when God was beginning to
fulfil his precious promises concerning the gathering
of the Gentiles.

The Most High, in a vision, undeceived Peter ;
first, prepared his heart to believe ; and, at the
house of Cornelius, showed him of a certainty that
God was no respecter of persons.

The effusion of the Holy Ghost upon a people,
with whom they, the Jewish Christians, would not
so much as eat, was strange to them. All they of
the circumcision were astonished to see it ; and the
apostles and brethren of Judea contended with
Peter about it, till he, having rehearsed the whole
matter, and fully shown that the Father s love was
unlimited, they were thereat struck with admiration,
and cried out, " Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life!"

The opinion of peculiar favours being confined to
them, was deeply rooted, or else the above instance
had been less strange to them, for these reasons :
First, They were generally acquainted with the
writings of the prophets, by whom this time was
repeatedly spoken of, and pointed at. Secondly,

255

Our blessed Lord shortly before, expressly said,,
"Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold,
them also I must bring/ &c. Lastly, His words
to them after his resurrection, at the very time of
his ascension, cc Ye shall be witnessess unto me,
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Sa
maria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts i. 8.

These concurring circumstances, one would
think, might have raised a strong expectation of
seeing such a time ; yet when it came, it proved
matter of offence and astonishment.

To consider mankind otherwise than brethren, to
think favours are peculiar to one nation, and ex
clude others, plainly supposes a darkness in the
understanding ; for as God s love is universal, so
where the mind is sufficiently influenced by it, it
begets a likeness of itself, and the heart is enlarged
towards all men. Again, to conclude a people frow-
ard, perverse, and worse by nature than others
(who ungratefully receive favours, and apply them to
bad ends) this will excite a behaviour toward them
unbecoming the excellence of true religion.

To prevent such error, let us calmly consider
their circumstance ; and, the better to do it, make
their case ours. Suppose, then, that our ancestors
and we had been exposed to constant servitude, in
the more servile and inferior employments of life ;
that we had been destitute of the help of reading
and good company; that amongst ourselves we had
few wise and pious instructors ; that the religious
amongst our superiors seldom took notice of us;

256

that while others/ in ease, have plentifully heaped
up the fruit of our labour, we had received barely
enough to relieve nature ; and being wholly at the
command of others, had generally been treated as a
contemptible, ignorant,, part of mankind ; should we,
in that case, be less abject than they now are ?
Again, if oppression be so hard to bear, that a wise
man is made mad by it, Eccl. vii. 7. then a series
of those things altering the behaviour and manners
of a people, is what may reasonably be expected.

When our property is taken contrary to our
mind, by means appearing to us unjust, it is only
through divine influence, and the enlargement of
heart from thence proceeding, that we can love our
reputed oppressors. If the Negroes fall short in this,
an uneasy, if not a disconsolate disposition, will be
awakened, and remain like seeds in their minds,
producing sloth and many other habits appearing
odious to us ; with which, being freemen, they per
haps, had not been chargeable. These, and other
circumstances, rightly considered, will lessen that
too great disparity which some make between us
and them.

Integrity of heart hath appeared in some of them,
so that if we continue in the word of Christ (pre
vious to discipieship, John viii. 31.) and our con
duct towards them be seasoned with his love, we
may hope to see the good effect of it : the which, in
a good degree, is the case with some into whose
hands they have fallen ; but that too many treat
them otherwise, not seeming conscious of any neg
lect is, alas ! too evident,

257

When self-love presides in our minds, our opi
nions are biassed in our own favour. In this condi
tion., being concerned with a people so situated, that
they have no voice to plead their own cause,, there is
danger of using ourselves to an undisturbed par
tiality, till, by long custom,, the mind becomes re
conciled with it, and the judgment itself infected.

To humbly apply to God for wisdom, that we
may thereby be enabled to see things as they are,
and ought to be, is very needful ; hereby the hidden
things of darkness may be brought to light, and the
judgment made clear : we shall then consider man
kind as brethren. Though different degrees, and
a variety of qualifications and abilities, one depen
dent on another, be admitted ; yet high thoughts
will be laid aside, and all men treated as becometh
the sons of one father, agreeable to the doctrine of
Christ Jesus.

He hath laid down the best criterion, by which
mankind ought to judge of their own conduct, and
others judge for them of theirs, one towards ano
ther, viz. " Whatsoever you would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them." I take it, that
all men by nature, are equally entitled to the equity
of this rule, and under the indispensable obligations
of it. One man ought not to look upon another
man, or society of men, as so far beneath him ; but
that he should put himself in their place, in all his
actions towards them, and bring all to this test, viz.
How should I approve of this conduct, were I in
their circumstance, and they in mine?" A. Arscot s
Considerations, p. iii. fol. 107.

R

258

This doctrine being of a moral unchangeable na
ture, hath been likewise inculcated in the former
dispensation ; fC If a stranger sojojjrn_with Jthee, in

that dwelleth with^^you, shall be as jcm
amongst you, and thou sjbialt love him as^hy^lf/^

Lev. xix. 33, 34. Had these people come volunta-*"
rily and dwelt amongst us, to have called them
strangers would be proper ; and their being brought
by force, with regret, and a languishing mind, may
well raise compassion in a heart rightly disposed ;
but there is nothing in such treatment, which upon
a wise and judicious consideration, will in any wise
lessen their right of being treated as strangers. If the
treatment which many of them meet with, be rightly
examined and compared with these precepts, cc Thou
shalt not vex him nor oppress him ; he shall be as
one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him
as thyself." Lev. xix 33. Deut. xxvii. 19. there
will appear an important difference betwixt them.

It may be objected there is cost of purchase, and
risque of their lives to them who possess them, and
therefore needful that they make the best use of
their time. In a practice just and reasonable, such
objections may have weight ; but if the work be
wrong from the beginning, there is little or no force
in them. If I purchase a man who hath never for
feited his liberty, the natural right of freedom is in
him ; and shall I keep him and his posterity in ser
vitude and ignorance ? <f How should I approve of
this conduct, were I in his circumstances, and he in
mine?" It may be thought, that to treat them as

259

we would willingly be treated,, our gain by them
would be inconsiderable; and it were, in divers
respects., better that there were none in our country.
We may further consider, that they are now
amongst us,, and those of our nation the cause of
their being here ; that whatsoever difficulty accrues
thereon, we are justly chargeable with, and to bear
all inconveniences attending it, with a serious and
weighty concern of mind to do our duty by them,
is the best we can do. To seek a remedy by con
tinuing the oppression, because we have power to
do it, and see others do it, will, I apprehend, not be
doing as we would be done by.

How deeply soever men are involved in the most
exquisite difficulties, sincerity of heart, and upright
walking before God, freely submitting to his pro
vidence, is the most sure remedy. He only is able
to relieve, not only persons but nations, in their
greatest calamities. == n. *",

David in a great strait, when the sense of his past
error, and the full expectation of an impending ca
lamity as the reward of it, were united, to the
aggravating of his distress, after some deliberation,
saith, " Let me fall now into the hand of the Lord,
for very great are his mercies ; but let me not fail
into the hand of man/ 1 Chron. xxi. 13.

To act continually with integrity of heart, above
all narrow or selfish motives, is a sure token of our
being partakers of that salvation which God hath
appointed for walls and bulwarks. Isaiah, xxvi. 1.
and is, beyond all contradiction, a more happy situ
ation than can ever be promised by the utmost reach

R2

260

of art and power united, not proceeding from hea
venly wisdom.

A supply to nature s lawful wants, joined with a
peaceful, humble mind, is the truest happiness in
this life ; and if here we arrive to this, and remain
to walk in the path of the just, our case will be truly
happy. And though herein we may part with, or
miss of some glaring shows of riches, and leave our
children little else but wise instructions, a good ex
ample, and the knowledge of some honest employ
ment ; these, with the blessing of Providence, are
sufficient for their happiness, and are more likely to
prove so, than laying up treasures for them, which
are often rather a snare, than any real benefit ; es
pecially to them, who instead of being exampled to
temperance, are in all things taught to prefer the
getting of riches, and to eye the temporal distinc
tions they give, as the principle business of this life.
These readily overlook the true happiness of man,
as it results from the enjoyment of all things in the
fear of God , and, miserably substituting an inferior
good, dangerous in the acquiring, and uncertain in
the fruition, they are subject to many disappoint
ments, and every sweet carries its sting.

It is the conclusion of our blessed Lord and his
apostles, as appears by their lives and doctrines,
that the highest delights of sense, or most pleasing
objects visible, ought ever to be accounted infinitely
inferior to that real intellectual happiness suited to
man in his primitive innocence, and now to be
found in true renovation of mind ; and that the
comforts of our present life, the things most grateful

261

to us, ought always to be received with temperance,,
and never made the chief objects of our desire,
hope, or love ; but that our whole heart and affec
tions be principally looking to that f( city which
hath foundations,, whose maker and builder is God."
Did we so improve the gifts bestowed on us, that
our children might have an education suited to
these doctrines, and our example to confirm it, we
might rejoice in hopes of their being heirs of an in
heritance incorruptible.

This inheritance, as Christians, we esteem the
most valuable ; and how then can we fail to desire
it for our children ? O that we were consistent
with ourselves, in pursuing means necessary to ob
tain it !

It appears, by experience, that where children
educated in fulness, ease, and idleness, evil habits
are more s prevalent, than, in common, amongst
such as are prudently employed in the necessary
affairs of life. And if children are not only edu
cated in the way of so great temptation, but have
also the opportunity of lording it over their fellow-
creatures, and being masters of men in their child
hood, how can we hope otherwise than that their
tender minds will be possessed with thoughts too
high for them ? Which, by continuance, gaining
strength, will prove, like a slow current, gradually
separating them from (or keeping from acquaint
ance with) that humility and meekness in which
alone lasting happiness can be enjoyed.

Man is born to labour, and experience abun
dantly showeth, that it is for our good ; but whejre

262

the powerful lay the burthen on the inferior,, with
out affording a Christian education,, and suitable
opportunity of improving the mind, and a treat
ment which we, in their case, should approve, that
themselves may live at ease/ and fare sumptuously,
and lay up riches for their posterity, this seems to
contradict the design of Providence, and, I doubt
is sometimes the effect of a perverted mind. Per
while the life of one is made grievous by the rigour
of another, it entails misery on both.

Amongst the manifold works of Providence,
displayed in the different ages of the world, these
which follow (with many others) may afford instruc
tion.

Abraham was called of God to leave his country
and kindred, to sojourn amongst strangers : through
famine, and danger of death, he was forced to flee
from one kingdom to another He at length, not
only had assurance of being the father of many na
tions, but became a mighty prince. Gen. xxiii. 6.

Remarkable were the dealings of God with Jacob
in a low estate ; the just sense he retained of them
after his advancement, appears by his words : (f I am
not worthy of the least of all thy mercies." Gen.
xxxii. 10. xlviii. 15.

The numerous afflictions of Joseph are very sin
gular ; the particular providence of God therein, no
less manifest. He, at length, became governor of
Egypt, and famous for wisdom arid virtue.

The series of troubles David passed through, few
amongst us are ignorant of. And yet he after
wards became as one of the great men of the earth.

263

Some evidence of the divine wisdom appears in
these things, in that such as are intended for
high stations,, have first been very low and dejected,
that truth might be sealed on their hearts ; and
that the characters there imprinted by bitterness
and adversity, might in after years remain, sug
gesting compassionate ideas, and in their prosperity,
quicken their regard to those in the like condi
tion ; which yet further appears in the case of
Israel. They were well acquainted with grievous
sufferings, a long and rigorous servitude ; then
through many notable events, were made chief
amongst the nations. To them we find a repetition
of precepts to the purpose abovesaid ; though, for
ends agreeable to infinite wisdom, they were chosen
as a peculiar people for a time ; yet the Most
High acquaints them, that his love is not confined,
but extends to the stranger ; and, to excite their
compassion, reminds them of times past, (e Ye were
strangers in the land of Egypt." Deut. x. 19.
Again, c< Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, for ye y
know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye werestran-
gers in the land of Egypt/ Exodus xxiii. 9.

If we call to mind our beginning, some of us
may find a time, wherein our fathers were under
afflictions, reproaches, and manifold sufferings.

Respecting our progress in this land, the time is
short since our beginning was small and number
few, compared with the native inhabitants. He that
sleeps not by day nor night, hath watched over us,
and kept us, as the apple of his eye. His almighty
arm hath been round about us, and saved us from
dangers.

264

The wilderness and solitary deserts in which our
fathers passed the days of their pilgrimage,, are now
turned into pleasant fields ; the natives are gone
from before us,, and we established peaceably in the
possession of the land, enjoying our civil and reli
gious liberties ; and while many parts of the world
have groaned under the heavy calamities of war.,
our habitation remains quiet,, and our land fruitful.

When we trace back the steps we have trodden,,
and see how the Lord hath opened a way in the
wilderness for us., to the wise it will easily appear,
that all this was not done to be buried in oblivion ;
but to prepare a people for more fruitful returns,
and the remembrance thereof ought to humble us
in prosperity, and excite in us a Christian benevo
lence towards our inferiors.

If we do not consider these things aright, but,
through a stupid indolence, conceive views of inte
rest, separate from the general good of the great
brotherhood, and, in pursuance thereof, treat our
inferiors with rigour, to increase our wealth, and
gain riches for our children ; what then shall we do
6 when God riseth up ? and when he visiteth, what
shall we answer him ? did not He that made us,
make them ? and did not one fashion us in the
womb?" Job xxxi. 13, 14.

To our great master we stand or fall, to judge or
condemn us as is most suitable to his wisdom or
authority. My inclination is to persuade, and in-
treat, and simply give hints of my way of thinking.

If the Christian religion be considered, both re
specting its doctrines, and the happy influence

265

which it hath on the minds and manners of all real
Christians, it looks reasonable to think, that the
miraculous manifestation thereof to the world, is a
kindness beyond expression.

Are we the people thus favoured ? are we they
whose minds are opened, influenced, and governed
by the Spirit of Christ,, and thereby made sons of
God ? is it not a fair conclusion, that we, like our
heavenly Father, ought, in our degree, to be ac
tive in the same great cause of the eternal happiness
of, at least, our whole families, and more, if thereto
capacitated ?

If we, by the operation of the Spirit of Christ,
become heirs with him in the kingdom of his Father,
and are redeemed from the alluring counterfeit joys
of this world, arid the joy of Christ remain in us, to
suppose that one remaining in this happy condition,
can, for the sake of earthly riches, not only deprive
his fellow-creatures of the sweetness of freedom,
(which rightly used, is one of the greatest temporal
blessings,) but therewith neglect using proper means,
for their acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, and
the advantage of true religion, seems at least a con
tradiction to reason.

Whoever rightly advocates the cause of some,
thereby promotes the good of all. The state of
mankind was harmonious in the beginning, and
though sin hath introduced discord, yet through the
wonderful love of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord,
the way is open for our redemption, and means ap
pointed to restore us to primitive harmony. That
if one suffer by the unfaithfulness of another, the

266

mind, the most noble part of him that occasions the
discord, is thereby alienated from its true and real
happiness.

Our duty and interest are inseparably united, and
when we neglect or misuse our talents, we necessa
rily depart from the heavenly fellowship, and are in
the way to the greatest of evils.

Therefore to examine and prove ourselves, to find
what harmony the power presiding in us bears with
the divine nature, is a duty not more incumbent and
necessary, than it would be beneficial.

In Holy Writ the Divine Being saith of Himself,
ff I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness,
judgment and righteousness in the earth; for in
these things I delight, saith the Lord/ Jer. ix. 24.
Again, speaking in the way of man, to show his
compassion to Israel, whose wickedness had occa
sioned a calamity, and then being humbled under
it, it is said, His soul was grieved for their miseries.
Judges x. 16. If we consider the life of our blessed
Saviour when on eartly, as it is recorded by his fol
lowers, we shall find, that one uniform desire for
the eternal, and temporal good of mankind, disco
vered itself in all his actions.

If we observe men, both apostles and others, in
many different ages, who have really come to the
unity of the Spirit, and the fellowship of the saints,
there still appears the like disposition, and in them
the desire of the real happiness of mankind, has out
balanced the desire of ease, liberty, and many times,
life itself.

If upon a true search, we find that our natures

267

are so far renewed, that to exercise righteousness
arid loving-kindness (according to our ability) to
wards all men, without respect of persons, is easy
to us, or is our delight; if our love be so orderly
and regular, that he who doeth the will of our
Father, who is in heaven, appears in our view, to
be our nearest relation, our brother, and sister, and
mother ; if this be our case, there is a good founda
tion to hope, that the blessing of God will sweeten
our treasures during our stay in this life, and our
memory be savory, when we are entered into rest.

To conclude, it is a truth most certain, that a life
guided. by wisdom from above, agreeable with jus
tice, equity, and mercy, is throughout consistent
and amiable, and truly beneficial to society ; the
serenity and calmness of mind in it, affords an un-
parallelled comfort in this life, and the end of it is
blessed.

And no less true that they, who in the midst of
high favours, remain ungrateful, and, under all the
advantages that a Christian can desire, are selfish,
earthly and sensual, do miss the true fountain of
happiness, and wander in a maze of dark anxiety,
where all their treasures are insufficient to quiet their
minds : hence, from an insatiable craving, they neg
lect doing good with what they have acquired, and
too often add oppression to vanity, that they may
compass more.

" O that they were wise, that they understood
this, that they would consider their latter end \"
Deut. xxxii.29.

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THB

KEEPING OF NEGROES.

Recommended to the Professors of Christianity of
every Denomination.

[First printed in the Year 1762.]

PART THB SECOND.

PREFACE.

ALL our actions are of like nature with their root ;
and the Most High weigheth them more skilfully
than men can weigh them one for another.

I believe that one Supreme Being made and sup
ports the world ; nor can I worship any other Deity
without being an idolater, and guilty of wickedness.

Many nations have believed in, and worshipped,
a plurality of deities; but I do not believe they
were therefore all wicked. Idolatry, indeed, is
wickedness; but it is the thing, not the name,
which is so. Real idolatry is to pay that adoration
to a creature, which is known to be due only to the
true God.

He who professeth to believe one Almighty Cre
ator, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and is yet more
intent on the honours, profits, and friendships of the
world, than he is in singleness of heart to stand faith-

S69

ful to the Christian religion, is in the channel of i
atry ; while the Gentile, who, under some mistaken
opinions, is, notwithstanding, established in the
true principle of virtue, and humbly adores an
Almighty power, may be of that number who fear
God, and work righteousness.

I believe the bishop of Rome assumes a power
that does not belong to any officer in the church of
Christ ; and if I should knowingly do any thing
tending to strengthen him in that capacity, it would
be great iniquity. There are many thousands of
people who, by their profession, acknowledge him
to be the representative of Jesus Christ on earth;
and to say that none of them are upright in heart,
would be contrary to rny sentiments.

Men who sincerely apply their minds to true
virtue, and find an inward support from above, by
which all vicious inclinations are made subject;
they that love God sincerely, and prefer the real
good of mankind universally to their own private
interest; though these, through the strength of
education and tradition, may remain under some
speculative and great errors, it would be unchari
table to say, that therefore God rejects them. He
who creates, supports, and gives understanding to
all men, his knowledge and goodness is superior to
the various cases and circumstances of his creatures,
which to us appear the most difficult.

The apostles and primitive Christians did riot
censure all the Gentiles as wicked men, Rom. ii. 14. ;
Col. iii. 11.; but as they were favoured with a gift
to discern things more clearly, respecting the wor-

270

ship of the true God, they, with much firmness,
declared against the worshipping of idols ; and with
true patience, endured many sufferings on that
account.

Great numbers of faithful Protestants have con
tended for the truth, in opposition to papal errors ;
and, with true fortitude, laid down their lives in the
conflict, without saying, That no man was saved
who made profession of that religion.

While we have no right to keep men as servants
for term of life, but that of superior power ; to do
this, with design by their labour to profit ourselves
and our families, I believe is wrong ; but I do not
believe that all who have kept slaves, have therefore
been chargeable with guilt. If their motives
thereto were free from selfishness, and their slaves
content, they were a sort of freemen ; which I
believe hath sometimes been the case.

Whatever a man does in the spirit of charity, to
him it is not sin ; and while he lives and acts in
this spirit, he learns all things essential to his hap
piness as an individual : and if he doth not see that
any injury or injustice, to any other person, is ne
cessarily promoted by any part of his form of go
vernment, I believe the merciful Judge will not lay
iniquity to his charge. Yet others, who live in the
same spirit of charity, from a clear convincement,
may see th,e relation of one thing to another, and
the necessary tendency of each ; and hence it may
be absolutely binding on them to desist from some
parts of conduct, which some good men have been
in.

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

" Ye shall not respect persons in judgment ; but you shall hear
the small as well as the great : you shall not be afraid of the face
of man ; for the judgment is God s." DEPT^I. 17.

As some in most religious societies amongst the
English are concerned in importing or purchasing
the inhabitants of Africa as slaves, and as the pro
fessors of Christianity of several other nations do
the like ; these circumstances tend to make people
less apt to examine the practice so closely as they
would be if such a thing had not been, but was now
proposed to be entered upon. It is however our
duty, and what concerns us individually, as
creatures accountable to our Creator, to employ
rightly the understanding which He hath given us,
in humbly endeavouring to be acquainted with his
will concerning us, and with the nature and ten
dency of those things which we practise : for as
justice remains to be justice, so many people of
reputation in the world, joining with wrong things,
do not excuse others in joining with them, nor
make the consequence of their proceedings less

272

dreadful in the final issue, than it would otherwise
be.

Where unrighteousness is justified from one age
to another, it is like dark matter gathering into
clouds over us. We may know that this gloom
will remain till the cause be removed by a reforma
tion, or change of times ; and may feel a desire,
from a love of equity, to speak on the occasion ;
yet, where error is so strong that it may not be
spoken against without some prospect of inconve
nience to the speaker, this difficulty is likely to
operate on our weakness, and quench the good
desires in us; except we dwell so steadily under
the weight of it as to be made willing to cc endure
hardness" on that account.

Where men exert their talents against vices,
generally accounted such, the ill effects whereof are
presently perceived in a government, all men who
regard their own temporal good, are likely to
approve the work. But when that which is in
consistent with perfect equity, hath the law or
countenance of the great in its favour, though the
tendency thereof be quite contrary to the true hap
piness of mankind, in an equal if not greater
degree than many things accounted reproachful
to Christians ; yet, as these ill effects are not gene
rally perceived, they who labour to dissuade from
such things, which people believe accord with their
interest, have many difficulties to encounter.

The repeated charges which God gave to his
prophets, imply the danger they were in of erring on
this hand. f< Be not afraid of their faces; for I am

273

\\itli thee, to deliver thee, saith the Lord." Jer. i, 8;
f Speak all the words that I command thee to speak
to them ; diminish not a word/ Jer. xxvi. 2.
(c And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor
dismayed at their looks. Speak my words to them,
whether they will hear or forbear/ Ezek. ii. 6, 7.

Under an apprehension of duty, I offer some
further considerations on this subject,, having en
deavoured some years to consider it candidly. I
have observed people of our own colour, whose
abilities have been inferior to the affairs which relate
to their convenient subsistence, who have been
taken care of by others, and the profit of such work
as they could do, applied toward their support. I
believe there are such amongst negroes ; and that
some people, in whose hands they are, keep them
with no view of outward profit, do not consider
them as black men, who, as such, ought to serve
white men ; but account them persons who have
need of guardians, and as such take care of them ;
yet, where equal care is taken in all parts of educa
tion, I do not apprehend cases of this sort are
likely to occur more frequently amongst one sort
of people than another.

It looks to me that the slave trade was founded; -x,
and hath generally been carried on in a wrong
spirit ; that the effects of it are detrimental to the
real prosperity of our country ; and will be more
so, except we cease from the common motives of
keeping them, and treat them in future agreeably
to truth and pure justice.

Negroes may be imported, who, for their cruelty

274

to their countrymen,, and the evil disposition of
their minds, may be unfit to be at liberty ; and if
we, as lovers of righteousness,, undertake the ma
nagement of them, we should have a full and clear
knowledge of their crimes,, and of those circum
stances which might operate in their favour ; but
the difficulty of obtaining this is so great, that we
have great reason to be cautious therein. But,,
should it plainly appear, that absolute subjection
Was a condition the most proper for the person
who is purchased, yet the innocent children ought
not to be made slaves because their parents sinned.
We have account in Holy Scripture of some fa
milies suffering, where mention is only made of the
heads of the family committing wickedness ; and it
is likely that the degenerate Jews, misunderstand
ing some occurrences of this kind, took occasion to
charge God with being unequal ; so that a saying
became common, " The fathers have eaten sour
grapes, and the childrens teeth are set on edge/
Jeremiah and Ezekiel, two of the inspired prophets,
who lived near the same time, were concerned to
correct this error. Ezekiel is large on the subject.
First, he reproves them for their error. cf What
mean ye, that ye do so/* chap, xviii. verse 2. " As
I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion
any more to use this proverb in Israel/ The words
(t any more" have reference to time past ; intimat
ing, that though they had not rightly understood
some things they had heard or seen, and thence
supposed the proverb to be well grounded ; yet
henceforth they might know of a certainty, that

275

the ways of God are all equal ; that as sure as the
Most High liveth, so sure men are only answerable
for their own sins. He thus sums up the matter,
ver. 20. fc The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The
son shall not bear the iniquity of the father ; neither
shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him ;
and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon
him/

Where men are wicked, they commonly are a
means of corrupting the succeeding age; and
thereby hasten those outward calamities, which fall
on nations^, when their iniquities are full.

Men may pursue means which are not agreeable
to perfect purity, with a view to increase the wealth
and happiness of their offspring, and thereby make
the way of virtue more difficult to them. And
though the ill example of a parent, or a multitude,
does not excuse a man in doing evil, yet the mind
being early impressed with vicious notions and
practices,, and nurtured up in ways of getting
treasure, which are not the ways of truth ; this
wrong spirit getting first possession, and being thus
strengthened, frequently prevents due attention to
the true spirit of wisdom, so that they exceed in
wickedness those who lived before them. And in
this channel, though parents labour, as they think,
to forward the happiness of their children, it proves
a means of forwarding their calamity. This being
the case in the age next before the grievous cala
mity in the siege of Jerusalem, and carrying Judah
captive to Babylon, they might say with propriety,

216

This came upon us because our fathers forsook
God, and because we did worse than our fathers.
See Jer. vii. 26.

As the generation next before them inwardly
turned away from God, who yet waited to be gra
cious; and as they in that age continued in those
things which necessarily separated from perfect
goodness, growing more stubborn, till the judg
ments of God were poured out upon them ; they
might properly say, ec Our fathers have sinned,, and
we have borne their iniquities/ Lam. v. ?. And
yet, wicked as their fathers were, had they not suc
ceeded them in their wickedness, they had not
borne their iniquities.

To suppose it right, that an innocent man shall
at this day be excluded from the common rules of
justice ; be deprived of that liberty, which is the
natural right of human creatures, and be a slave to
others during life, on account of a sin committed
by his immediate parents, or a sin committed by
Ham, the son of Noah ; is a supposition too gross
to be admitted into the mind of any person who
sincerely desires to be governed by solid principles.

It is alleged, in favour of the practice, that
Joshua made slaves of the Gibeonites.

What men do by the command of God, and what
comes to pass as a consequence of their neglect,
are different ; such as the latter case now mentioned

It was the express command of the Almighty to
Israel, concerning the inhabitants of the promised
land, " Thou shalt make no covenant with them,

217

nor with their gods : they shall not dwell in thy
land/ Exod. xxiii. 32. Those Gibeonites came
craftily, telling- Joshua, that they were come from
a far country ; that their elders had sent them to
make a league with the people of Israel ; and as an
evidence of their being foreigners,, showed their old
clothes,, &c. ff And the men took of their victuals,
and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord;
and Joshua made peace with them,, and made a
league w ith them, to let them live ; and the princes
sware to them." Josh. ix. 14, 15.

When the imposition was discovered, the con
gregation murmured against the princes: " But all
the princes said to all the congregation, we have
sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel ; now
therefore we may not touch them ; we will even
let them live, lest wrath be upon us ; but let them
be hewers of wood, and drawers of water unto the
congregation."

Omitting to ask counsel,, involved them in great
difficulty. The Gibeonites were of those cities, of
which the Lord said, " Thou shalt save alive nothing
that breatheth;" and of the stock of the Hivites,
concerning whom he commanded by name, " Thou
shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them. Thou
shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy
unto them/ Dent. vii. 1. Thus Joshua and the
princes not knowing them, had made a league with
lliem, to let them live ; and in this strait they re
solve to make them servants. Joshua and the
princes suspected them to be deceivers : " Perad-
venture you dwell amongst us : and how shall we

273

make a league with you ?" Which words show,
that they remembered the command before-men
tioned ; and yet did not enquire at the mouth of
the Lord, as Moses directed Joshua, when he gave
him a charge respecting his duty as chief man
among that people. Numb, xxvii. 21. By this
omission things became so situated, that Joshua
and the princes could not execute the judgments
of God on them, without violating the oath which
they had made.

Moses did amiss at the waters of Meribah ; and
doubtless he soon repented ; for the Lord was with
him. And it is likely that Joshua was deeply hum
bled, under a sense of his omission ; for it appears
that God continued him in his office, and spared
the lives of those people, for the sake of the league
and oath made in his name.

The wickedness of these people was great, and
they worthy to die, or perfect justice had not pas
sed sentence of death upon them ; and as their ex
ecution was prevented by this league and oath,
they appear content to be servants: " As it seemeth
good and right unto thee to do unto us, do."

These criminals, instead of death had the sen
tence of servitude pronounced on them, in these
words, <f Now therefore ye are cursed ; arid there
shall none of you be freed from being bondmen,
and hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the
house of my God."

We find, Deut. xx. 10, that there were cities far
distant from Canaan, against which, Israel went to
battle ; unto which they were to proclaim peace^

279

avid if the inhabitants made answer of peace,, and
opened their gates,, they were not to destroy them,
but make them tributaries.

The children of Israel were then the Lord s
host, and executioners of his judgments on people
hardened in wickedness They were not to go to
battle, but by his appointment. The men who
were chief in his army, had their instruction from
the Almighty ; sometimes immediately, and some
times by the ministry of angels. Of these,, amongst
others, were Moses., Joshua, Othniel, and Gideon ;
see Exod. iii. 2, and xviii. 19. Josh. v. 13. These
people far off from Canaan, against whom Israel
was sent to battle, were so corrupt, that the Creator
of the universe saw it good to change their situa
tion ; and in case of their opening their gates, and
coming under tribute, this their subjection, though
probably more mild than absolute slavery, was to
last little or no longer than while Israel remained
in the true spirit of government.

It was pronounced by Moses the prophet as a
consequence of their wickedness, " The stranger
that is within thee shall get above thee very high ;
and thoii shalt come down very low. He shall be
the head, and thou the tail/ Deut. xxviii. 43, 44.

This we find in some measure verified in their
being made tributaries to the Moabites, Midianiles,
Ainorites and Philistines.

It is alleged in favour of the practice of slave-
keeping, that the Jews by their law made slaves of
the Heathen. Lev. xxv. 45. 4f Moreover, of the
children of the strangers that do sojourn amongst

280

you, of them shall ye buy, and of their children,
which are with you, which they begat in your land ;
and they shall be your possession ; and you shall
take them as an inheritance for your children after
you, to inherit them as a possession, they shall be
your bondmen for ever." It is difficult for us to
have any certain knowledge of the mind of Moses,
in regard to keeping slaves, any other way than by
looking upon him as a true servant of God, whose
mind and conduct were regulated by an inward
principle of justice and equity. To admit a sup
position that he in that case was drawn from per
fect equity by the alliance of outward kindred,
would be to disown his authority.

Abraham had servants born in his house, arid
bought with his money : (< And the Almighty said
of Abraham, I know him, that he will order his
house after him." Which implies, that he was a
father, an instructor, and a good governor over his
people And Moses, considered as a man of God,
must necessarily have had a prospect of some real
advantage in the strangers and heathens being ser
vants to the Israelites for a time.

As mankind had received and established many
erroneous opinions and hurtful customs, their living
and conversing with the Jews, while the Jews stood
faithful to their principles, might be helpful to re
move those errors, and reform their manners. But
for men, with private views, to assume an absolute
power over the persons and properties of others ;
and continue it from age to age in the line of na
tural generation, without regard lo the virtues arid

281

vices of their successors,, as it is manifestly contrary
to true universal love, and attended with great
evils, there requires the clearest evidence to beget a
belief in us, that Moses intended that the strangers
should, as such, be slaves to the Jews.

He directed them to buy strangers and sojour-
ners. It appears that there were strangers in Israel
who were free men ; and considering with what
tenderness and humanity the Jews, by their law,
were obliged to use their servants, and what care
was to be taken to instruct them in the true reli
gion, it is not unlikely that some strangers in poverty
and distress were willing to enter into bonds to
serve the Jews as Ipng as they lived ; and in such
case the Jews, by their law, had a right to their
service during life.

When the awl was bored through the ear of the
Hebrew servant, the text saith, ff He shall serve for
ever ;" yet we do not suppose that by the word
" for ever/ it was intended that none of his poste
rity should afterwards be free. When it is said in
regard to the strangers which they bought, " They
shall be your possession/ it may be well under
stood to mean only the persons so purchased ; all
preceding relates to buying them; and what fol
lows, to the continuance of their service, " You
shall take them as an inheritance to your children
after you ; they shall be your bondmen for ever. *
It may be well understood to stand limited to those
they purchased.

Moses directing Aaron and his sons to wash their
hands and feet, when they went into the tabernacle

282

of the congregation, saith, (C It shall be a statute
for ever to them, even to him and his seed through
out all generations." And to express the con
tinuance of the law,, it was his common language,,
" It shall be a statute for ever throughout your
generations/ So that had he intended the pos
terity of the strangers so purchased to continue in
slavery to the Jews., it looks likely that he would
have used some terms clearly to express it. The
Jews undoubtedly had slaves,, whom they kept as
such from one age to another; but that this was
agreeable to the genuine design of their inspired
law-giver, is far from being a clear case.

Making constructions of the law contrary to the
true meaning of it, was common amongst that
people. Samuel s sons took bribes, and perverted
judgment Isaiah complained that they justified
the wicked for reward Zephaniah, coternporary
with Jeremiah, on account of the injustice of the
civil magistrates, declared that those judges were
evening wolves ; and that the priests did violence
to the law.

Jeremiah acquaints us, that the priests cried
peace, peace, when there was no peace ; by which
means the people grew bold in their wickedness ;
and having committed abominations, were not
ashamed ; but, through wrong constructions of the
law, they justified themselves, and boastingly said,
fc We are wise ; and the law of the Lord is with
us/ These corruptions continued till the days of
our Saviour, who told the Pharisees, Cf Thus have

283

ye made the commandment of God of none effect
by your tradition."

Thus it appears that they corrupted the law of
Moses; nor is it unlikely that among many others
this was one ; for oppressing the strangers was a
heavy charge against the Jews, and very often
strongly represented by the Lord s faithful pro
phets.

That the liberty of man was, by the inspired law
giver, esteemed precious, appears in this ; that such
as unjustly deprived men of it, were to be punished
in like manner as if they had murdered them. " He
that stealeth a man and selleth him ; or if he be
found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death/
This part of the law was so considerable, that Paul,
the learned Jew, giving a brief account of the uses
of the law, adds this, " It was made for men-
stealers." 1 Tim. i. 10.

The great men amongst that people were exceed
ingly oppressive : and it is likely, exerted their
whole strength and influence to have the law con
strued to suit their turns. The honest servants of
the Lord had heavy work with them in regard to
their oppression ; a few instances follow. " Thus
saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, amend
your ways, and your doings ; and I will cause you
to dwell in this place. If ye thoroughly execute
judgment between a man and his neighbour ; if ye
oppress not the stranger, the fatherless and the
widow; and shed not innocent blood in this place;
neither walk after other gods to your hurt, then
will I cause you to dwell in this place," Jer. vii, 6, 7.

284

Again a messenger was sent, not only to the infe
rior ministers of justice, but also to the chief ruler.
" Thus saith the Lord ; go down to the house of
the king of Judah, and speak there this word ; exe
cute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver
the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor ; and
do no wrong; do no violence to the stranger,, the
fatherless, and the widow; neither, shed innocent
blood in this place/ Then adds, that in so doing
they should prosper ; But if ye will not hear tliese
words, I swear by myself, saith the Lord, that this
house shall become a desolation." Jer. xxii. 5.

The king, the princes, and rulers, were agreed in
oppression, before the Babylonish captivity ; for
whatever courts of justice were retained amongst
them ; or however they decided matters betwixt
men of estates, it is plain that the cause of the poor
was not judged in equity.

It appears that the great men amongst the Jews
were fully resolved to have slaves, even of their own
brethren. Jer. xxxiv. Notwithstanding the pro
mises and threaten ings of the Lord, by the prophet,
and their solemn covenant. to set them free, con
firmed by the imprecation of passing between the
parts of a calf cut in twain ; intimating by that
ceremony, that on breach of the covenant, it were
just for their bodies to be so cut in pieces. Yet
after all, they held fast to their old custom, and
called home the servants whom they had set free
" And ye were now turned, and had done right in
my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his
neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me,

285

in the house which is called by my name,, but ye
turned, and polluted my name,, and caused every
man his servant, whom he had set at liberty at their
pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjec
tion, to be unto you for servants, and for handmaids.
Therefore thus saith the Lord, ye have not heark
ened unto me, in proclaiming liberty every one to
his neighbour, and every one to his brother. Be
hold I proclaim liberty to you, saith the Lord, to
the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and
I will make you to l\e removed into all the king
doms of the earth. The men who transgressed my
covenant which they made, and passed between the
parts of the calf, I will give into the hands of their
enemies, and their dead bodies shall be for meat
to the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the
earth/

Soon after this their city was taken and burnt,
the king s sons and the princes slain ; and the king,
with the chief men of his kingdom, carried captive
to Babylon. Ezekiel, prophesying the return of
that people to their own land, directs, ec Ye shall
divide the land by lot, for an inheritance unto you,
and to the strangers that sojourn amongst you ; in
what tribe the stranger sojourns, there shall ye give
him his inheritance, saith the Lord God." Nor is
this particular direction, and the authority with
which it is enforced, without a tacit implication,
that their ancestors had erred in their conduct to
wards the stranger/

Some who keep slaves, have doubted as to the
equity of the practice ; but as they knew men, noted

286

for their piety, who were in it, this they say., has made
their minds easy.

To lean on the example of men in doubtful cases,,
is difficult. For only admit,, that those men were
not faithful and upright to the highest degree, but
that in some particular case they erred, and it may
follow that this one case was the same, about which
we are in doubt; and to quiet our minds by their
example, may be dangerous to ourselves ; and con
tinuing in it, prove a stumbling block to tender-
minded people who succeed us, in like manner as
their examples are to us.

But supposing chanty was their only motive, and
they not foreseeing the tendency of paying robbers
for their booty were not justly under the imputation
of being partners with a thief, Prov. xxix. 24. but
were really innocent in what they did, are we as
sured that we keep them with the same views they
kept them ? If we keep them from no other motive
than a real sense of duty, and true charity governs
us in all our proceedings toward them, we are so far
safe : but if another spirit, which inclines our minds
to the ways of this world, prevail upon us, and we
are concerned for our own outward gain more than
for their real happiness, it will avail us nothing that
some good men have had the care and management
of negroes.

Since mankind spread upon the earth, many have
been the revolutions attending the several families,
and their customs and ways of life different from
each other. This diversity of manners, though
some are preferable to others, operates not in favour

287

of any, so far as to justify them to do violence to
innocent men ; to bring them from their own to an
other way of life. The mind, when moved by a
principle of true love, may feel a \varmth of grati
tude to the universal Father, and a lively sympathy
with those nations, where divine Light has been
less manifest.

This desire for their real good may beget a wil
lingness to undergo hardships for their sakes, that
the true knowledge of God may be spread amongst
them : but to take them from their own land, with
views of profit to ourselves, by means inconsistent
with pure justice, is foreign to that principle which
seeks the happiness of the whole creation. Forced
subjection of innocent persons of full age, is incon
sistent with right reason ; on one side, the human
mind is not naturally fortified with that firmness in
wisdom and goodness, necessary to an independent
ruler ; on the other side, to be subject to the uncon-
troulable will of a man, liable to err, is most pain
ful and afflicting to a conscientious creature.

It is our happiness faithfully to serve the divine
Being, who made us, His perfection makes our
service reasonable ; but so long as men are biassed
by narrow self-love, so long an absolute power over
other men is unfit for them.

Men, taking on them the government of others,
may intend to govern reasonably, and make their
subjects more happy than they would be otherwise;
but, as absolute command belongs only to Him who
is perfect, where frail men, in their own wills, assume
such command, it hath a direct tendency to vitiate

288

their minds, and make them more unfit for govern
ment.

Placing on men the ignominious title SLAVE.,
dressing them in uncomely garments, keeping them
to servile labour, in which they are often dirty,
tends gradually to fix a notion in the mind, that
they are a sort of people below us in nature, and
leads us to consider them as such in all our conclu
sions about them. And, moreover, a person who
in our esteem is mean and contemptible, if his lan
guage or behaviour towards us is unseemly or dis
respectful, it excites wrath more powerfully than
the like conduct in one we accounted our equal or
superior ; and where this happens to be the case, it
disqualifies for candid judgment ; for it is unfit for
a person to sit as judge in a case where his own
personal resentments are stirred up ; and as mem
bers of society in a well-framed government, we are
mutually dependent. Present interest incites to
duty, and makes each man attentive to the conve
nience of others ; but he whose will is a law to
others, and can enforce obedience by punishment ;
he whose wants are supplied without feeling any
obligation to make equal returns to his benefactor,
his irregular appetites find an open field for mo
tion, arid he is in danger of growing hard, and in
attentive to their convenience who labour for his
support ; and so loses that disposition, in which
alone men are fit to govern.

The English government hath been commended
by candid foreigners for the disuse of racks and
tortures, so much practised in some states; but this

289

multiplying slaves now leads to it ; for where peo
ple exact hard labour of others, without a suitable
reward, and are resolved to continue in that
way, severity to such as oppose them becomes
the consequence ; and several negro criminals,
among- the English in America, have been exe
cuted in a lingering, painful way, very terrifying to
others.

It is a happy case to set out right, and persevere
in the same way. A wrong beginning leads into
many difficulties ; for to support one evil, another
becomes customary ; two produce more : and the
further men proceed in this way, the greater their
dangers, their doubts and fears, and the more pain
ful and perplexing are their circumstances ; so that
such as are true friends to the real and lasting
interest of our country, and candidly consider the
tendency of things, cannot but feel some concern on
this account.

There is that superiority in men over the brute
creatures, and some of them are so manifestly de
pendent on men for a living, that for them to serve
us in moderation, so far as relates to the right use
of things, looks consonant to the design of our
Creator.

There is nothing in their frame, nothing relative
to the propagating their species, which argues the
contrary ; but in men there is. The frame of men s
bodies and the disposition of their minds are differ
ent ; some, who are tough and strong, and their
minds active, choose ways of life requiring much
labour to support them ; others are soon weary ;

290

and though use makes labour more tolerable, yet
some are less apt for toil than others, and their
minds less sprightly. These latter labouring for
their subsistence,, commonly choose a life easy to
support, being content with a little. When they
are weary they may rest, take the most advantage
ous part of the day for labour ; and in all cases
proportion one thing to another, that their bodies
be not oppressed.

Now, while each is at liberty, the latter may be
as happy, and live as comfortably as the former ;
but where men of the first sort have the latter un
der absolute command, and not considering the
odds in strength and firmness, do, sometimes, in
their eager pursuit, lay on burdens grievous to be
borne ; they by degrees grow rigorous, and aspiring
to greatness, increase oppression, and the true order
of kind Providence is subverted.

There are weaknesses sometimes attending us,
which make little or no alteration in our counte
nances, nor much lessen our appetite for food, and
yet so affect us, as to make labour very uneasy.
In such cases, masters, intent on putting forward
business, and jealous of the sincerity of their slaves,
may disbelieve what they say, and grievously afflict
them.

Action is necessary for all men, and our exhaust
ing frame requires a support, which is the fruit of
action. The earth must be laboured to keep us
alive : labour is a proper part of our life ; to make
one answer the other in some useful motion, looks
agreeable to the design of our Creator. Motion,

29 1

rightly managed, tends to our satisfaction, health,,
and support.

Those who quit all useful business, and live
wholly on the labour of others, have their exercise
to seek ; some such use less than their health re
quires ; others choose that which, by the circum
stances attending it, proves utterly reverse to true
happiness. Thus, while some are divers ways dis
tressed for want of an open channel of useful action,
those who support them sigh, arid are exhausted in
a stream too powerful for nature, spending their
days with too little cessation from labour.

Seed sown with the tears of a confined, oppressed,
people, harvest cut down by an over-borne, discon
tented, reaper, makes bread less sweet to the taste
of an honest man, than that which is the produce,
or just reward of such voluntary action, which is
one proper part of the business of human creatures.

Again, the weak state of the human species, in
bearing and bringing forth their young, and the
helpless condition of their young beyond that of
other creatures, clearly show that Perfect Goodness
designs a tender care and regard should be exer
cised toward them ; and that no imperfect, arbitrary,
power should prevent the cordial effects of that
sympathy, which is in the minds of well-met pairs
to each other, and toward their offspring.

In our species the mutual ties of affection are
more rational and durable than in others below us :
the care and labour of raising our offspring much
greater. The satisfaction arising to us in their

T3

innocent company, and in their advances from one
rational improvement to another, is considerable,
when two are thus joined, and their affections sin
cere. It however happens among slaves, that they
are often situate in different places ; and their see
ing each other depends on the will of men, liable
to human passions,, and a bias in judgment; who
with views of self-interest, may keep them apart
more than is right. Being absent from each other,
and often with other company there is a danger of
their affections being alienated, jealousies arising,
the happiness otherwise resulting from their off
spring frustrated, and the comforts of marriage de
stroyed These things being considered closely,
as happening to a near friend, will appear to be
Jiard and painful.

He who reverently observes that goodness mani
fested by our gracious Creator toward the various
species of beings in this world, will see, that in our
frame and constitution is clearly shown that inno
cent men, capable to manage for themselves, were
not intended to be slaves,

A person lately travelling amongst the negroes
near Senegal, hath this remark ; " Which way so
ever I turned my eyes on this pleasant spot, I be
held a perfect image of pure nature ; an agreeable
solitude, bounded on every side by charming land
scapes, the rural situation of cottages in the midst
of trees. The ease and indolence of the negroes
reclined under the shade of their spreading foliage ;
the simplicity of their dress and manners ; the whole

293

revived in iny mind the idea of our first parents, and
I seemed to contemplate the world in its primitive
state." M. Adarison, page 55.

Some negroes in these parts, who have had an
agreeable education,, have manifested a brightness
of understanding equal to many of us. A remark
of this kind we find in Bosnian, page 328. Cf The
negroes of Fida, saith he, are so accurately quick
in their merchandize accounts, that they easily
reckon as justly and quickly in their heads only,
as we with the assistance of pen and ink, though
the sum amounts to several thousands."

Through the force of long custom, it appears
needful to speak in relation to colour. Suppose a
white child, born of parents of the meanest sort,
who died and left him an infant, falls into the hands
of a person, who endeavours to keep him a slave,
some men would account him an unjust man in
doing so, who yet appear easy while many black
people, of honest lives, and good abilities, arc en
slaved, in a manner more shocking than the case
here supposed. This is owing chiefly to the idea of
slavery being connected with the black colour, and
liberty with the white ; and where false ideas are
twisted into our minds, it is with difficulty we get
fairly disentangled.

A traveller, in cloudy weather, misseth his way,
makes many turns while he is lost; still forms in
his mind, the bearing and situation of places, and
though the ideas are wrong, they fix as fast as if
they were right. Finding how things are, we see

our mistake ; yet the force of reason, with repeated
observations on places and things, does riot soon
remove these false notions, so fastened upon us,
but it will seem in the imagination as if the annual
course of the sun was altered ; and though by re
collection,, we are assured it is riot,, yet those ideas
do not suddenly leave us.

Selfishness being indulged,, clouds the under
standing; and where selfish men, for a long time,
proceed on their way, without opposition, the de-
ceivableness of unrighteousness gets so rooted in
their intellects, that a candid examination of things
relating to self-interest is prevented; and in this cir
cumstance,, some who would not agree to make a
slave of a person whose colour is like their own,
appear easy in making slaves of others of a differ-
rent colour, though their understandings and morals
are equal to the generality of men of their own
colour.

The colour of a man avails nothing, in matters
of right and equity. Consider colour in relation
to treaties; by such, disputes betwixt nations are
sometimes settled. And should the Father of us
all so dispose things, that treaties with black men
should sometimes be necessary, how then would it
appear amongst the princes and ambassadors, to
insist on the prerogative of the white colour ?

Whence is it that men, who believe in a righte
ous omnipotent Being, to whom all nations stand
equally related, and are equally accountable, remain
so easy in it ; but for that the ideas of negroes and

295

slaves are so interwoven in the mind, that they do
not discuss this matter with that candour and free
dom of thought, which the case justly calls for?

To come at a right feeling of their condition,
requires humble serious thinking ; for, in their
present situation, they have but little to engage
our natural affection in their favour.

Had we a son or a daughter involved in the same
case, in which many of them are, it would alarm us,
and make us feel their condition without seeking for
it. The adversity of an intimate friend will incite
our compassion, while others, equally good, in the
like trouble, will but little affect us.

Again, the man in worldly honour, whom we
consider as our superior, treating us with kindness
and generosity, begets a return of gratitude and
friendship toward him. We may receive as great
benefits from men a degree lower than ourselves,
in the common way of reckoning, and feel our
selves less engaged in favour of them. Such is our
condition by nature ; and these things being nar
rowly watched and examined, will be found to
centre in self-love.

The blacks secrn far from being our kinsfolks,
and did we find an agreeable disposition and sound
understanding in some of them, which appeared as
a good foundation for a true friendship between us,
the disgrace arising from an open friendship with a
person of so vile a stock, in the common esteem,
would naturally tend to hinder it. They have
neither honours, riches, outward magnificence, nor
power; their dress, coarse, and often ragged; their

296

employ, drudgery, and much in the dirt; they have
little or nothing at command ; but must wait upon
and work for others, to obtain the necessaries of
life ; so that in their present situation, there is not
much to engage the friendship or move the affection
of selfish men, but for such as live in the spirit of
true charity, to sympathize with the afflicted in the
lowest stations of life, is a thing familiar to them.

Such is the kindness of our Creator, that people,
applying their minds to sound wisdom, may, in
general, with moderate exercise, live comfortably,
where no misapplied power hinders it. We in
these parts have cause gratefully to acknowledge
it. But men leaving the true use of things, their
lives are less calm, and have less of real happiness
in them.

Many are desirous of purchasing and keeping
slaves, that they may live in some measure con
formable to those customs of the times, which have
in them a tincture of luxury ; for when we, in the
least degree, depart from that use of the creatures,
for which the Creator of all things intended them,
there luxury begins.

And if we consider this way of life seriously, we
shall see there is nothing in it sufficient to induce
a wise man to choose it, before a plain, simple, way
of living. If we examine stately buildings and
equipage, delicious food, superfine clothes, silks,
and linens ; if we consider the splendor of choice
metal fastened upon raiment, and the most showy
inventions of men ; it will yet appear that the hum
ble-minded man, who is contented with the true use

21)7

of houses,, food, and garments, and chear fully exer-
ciseth himself agreeable to his station in civil so
ciety,, to earn them, acts more reasonably, and dis
covers more soundness of understanding in his con
duct, than such as lay heavy burdens on others,
to support themselves in a luxurious way of living.

George Buchanan, in his History of Scotland, page
62, tells of some ancient inhabitants of Britain, who
were derived from a people that <( had a way of
marking their bodies, as some said, with instruments
of iron, with variety of pictures, and with animals
of all shapes, and wore no garments, that they
should not hide their pictures ; and were therefore
called Picts."

Did we see those people shrink with pain, for a
considerable time together, under the point or edge
of this iron instrument, and their bodies all bloody
with the operation ; did we see them sometimes
naked, suffering with cold, and refuse to put on
garments, that those imaginary ensigns of gran
deur might not be concealed, it is likely we should
pity their folly, and fondness for those things ; but
if we candidly compare their conduct, in that case,
with some conduct amongst ourselves, will it not

o *

appear that our folly is the greatest ?

In true gospel simplicity, free from all wrong use
of things, a spirit which breathes peace and good
will is cherished ; but when we aspire after imagi
nary grandeur, and apply to selfish means to attain
our end, this desire, in its original, is the same with
the Picts, in cutting figures on their bodies ; but

298

the evil consequences attending 1 our proceedings
are the greatest.

A covetous mind, which seeks opportunity to ex
alt itself, is a great enemy to true harmony in a
country : envy and grudging usually accompany
this disposition, and it tends to stir up its likeness
in others. And where this disposition ariseth so
high, as to embolden us to look upon honest, in
dustrious men as our own property during life, and
to keep them to hard labour, to support us in those
customs which have not their foundation in right
reason ; or to use any means of oppression ; a
haughty spirit is cherished on one side, and the de
sire of revenge frequently on the other, until the
inhabitants of the land are ripe for great commotion
and trouble ; and thus luxury and oppression have
the seeds of war and desolation in them.

Some account of the Slave Trade ; from the Writ
ings of persons who have been at the places where
they are first purchased, viz.

BOSMAN on Guinea, who was a factor for the
Dutch about sixteen years in that country, (page
339) thus remarks : " But since I have so often
mentioned that commerce, I shall describe how it
is managed by our factors. The first business of one
of our factors, when he comes to Pida, is to satisfy
the customs of the king, and the great men, which
amount to about one hundred pounds, in Guinea

299

value, as the goods must sell there. After which
we have free licence to trade, which is published
throughout the whole land by the cryer. Arid yet
before we can deal with any person, we are obliged
to buy the king s whole stock of slaves, at a set
price ; which is commonly one-third or fourth higher
than ordinary. After which, we have free leave to
deal with all his subjects, of what rank soever. But
if there happen to be no stock of slaves, the factor
must resolve to run the risk of trusting the inhabi
tants with goods, to the value of one or two hun
dred slaves; which commodities they send into the
inland country, in order to buy with them slaves at
all markets, and that sometimes two hundred miles
deep in the country. For you ought to be informed,
that markets of men are here kept in the same man
ner as those of beasts are with us.

Cf Most of the slaves which are offered to us, are
prisoners of war, which are sold by the victors as
their booty. When these slaves corne to Fida,
they are put in prisons altogether ; and when we
treat concerning them, they are all brought out in
a large plain, where, by our surgeons, whose pro
vince it is, they are thoroughly examined, even to
the smallest member, and that naked, both men
and women, without the least distinction or mo
desty. Those which are approved as good, are set
on one side. The invalids and maimed being
thrown out, the remainder are numbered, and it is
entered who delivered them : in the mean while a
burning iron, with the arms or name of the com
pany, lies in the fire, with which ours are marked on

300

the breast. This is done that we may distinguish
them from the slaves of the English, French, or
others. When we have agreed with the owners of
the slaves, they are returned to their prisons, where
from that time forward, they are kept at our charge,
cost us twopence a day a slave, which serves to
subsist them, like our criminals, on bread and
water : so that to save charges, we send them on
board our ships the first opportunity ; before which
their masters strip them of all they have on their
backs, so that they come on board stark naked, as
well women as men ; in which condition they are
obliged to continue, if the master of the ship is not
so charitable (which he commonly is) as to bestow
something on them, to cover their nakedness.

Same author, page 310. ff The inhabitants of
Popo, as well as those of Goto, depend on plunder,
and the slave-trade, in both which they very much
exceed the latter; for being endowed with more
courage, they rob more successfully, and by that
means increase their trade: notwithstanding which,
to freight a vessel with slaves, requires some
months attendance. In the year 1697, in three
days time I could get but three slaves ; but they
assured me, that if I would have patience for ano
ther three days only, they should be able to deliver
one or two hundred/

Bosnian, page 440. " We cast anchor at Cape
Mizurada, but not one negro coming on board, I
went on shore; and being desirous to be informed
why they did not come on board, was answered,
that about two months before, the English had been

301

there with two vessels, and had ravaged the coun
try, destroyed all their canoes, plundered their
houses, and carried off some of their people for
slaves; upon which the remainder fled to the
inland country. They tell us, they live in peace
with all their neighbours, and have no notion of any
other enemy than the English; of which nation they
had taken some then : and publicly declared, that
they would endeavour to get as many of them, as
the two mentioned ships had carried off of their
natives. These unhappy English were in danger
of being sacrificed to the memory of their friends,
which some of their nation carried off."

Extracts from a Collection of Voyages, VoL I.

The author, a popish missionary, speaking of his
departing from the negro country to Brazil, saith,
fc I remember the duke of Bambay (a negro chief)
one day sent me several blacks, to be rny slaves,
which I would not accept of; but sent them back
to him. I afterwards told him, I came not into his
country to make slaves ; but rather to deliver those
from the slavery of the devil, whom he kept in
miserable thraldom. The ship I went aboard was
loaded with elephants teeth, and slaves, to the
number of six hundred and eighty, men, women,
and children. It was a pitiful sight to behold how
all these people were bestowed. The men were
standing in the hold, fastened one to another with

302

stakes, for fear they should rise and kill the whites :
the women were between the decks, and those that
were with child in the great cabin : the children in
the steerage, pressed together like herrings in a
barrel ; which caused an intolerable heat and
stench." Page 507.

ff It is now time (saith the same author) to speak
of a brutish custom these people have amongst them
in making slaves ; which I take not to be lawful for
any person of a good conscience to buy."

He then describes how women betray men into
slavery, and adds, fc There are others going up into
the inland country, and, through pretence of juris
diction, seize men upon any trifling offence, and sell
them for slaves." Page 537.

The author of this treatise, conversing with a
person of good credit, was informed by him that in
his youth while in England, he was minded to come
to America, and happening on a vessel bound for
Guinea, and from thence into America, he, with a
view to see Africa, went on board her, and continued
with them in their voyage, and so came into this
country. Among other circumstances he related
these: " They purchased on the coast about three
hundred slaves : some of them he understood were
captives of war; some stolen by other negroes
privately. When they had got many slaves on
board, but were still on that coast, a plot was laid
by an old negro, notwithstanding the men had irons
on their hands and feet, to kill the English and
take the vessel ; which being discovered, the man

302

was hanged,, and many of the slaves made to shoot
at him as he hung 1 up/

Cf Another slave was charged with having a de
sign to kill the English; and the captain spoke to
him in relation to the charge brought against him,
as he stood on deck ; whereupon he immediately
threw himself into the sea, and was drowned/

{C Several negroes., confined on board,, were, he
said, so extremely uneasy with their condition, that
after many endeavours used, they could never make
them eat nor drink, after they came into the vessel;
but in a desperate resolution starved themselves to
death, behaving toward the last like madmen/

In Randal s Geography, printed 1744, we are in
formed, " That in a time of full peace nothing is
more common than for the negroes of one nation to
steal those of another, and sell them to the Euro
peans. It is thought that the English transmit
annually near fifty thousand of these unhappy crea
tures ; and the other European nations together,
about two hundred thousand more."

It is through the goodness of God that the re
formation from gross idolatry and barbarity hath
been thus far effected ; if we consider our condi
tions as Christians, and the benefits we enjoy, and
compare them with the condition of those people,
and consider that our nation trading with them for
their country produce, have had an opportunity of
imparting useful instructions to them, and remember
that but little pains have been taken therein, it
must look like an indifference in us. But when we
reflect on a custom the most shocking of any

304

amongst them, and remember that, with a view to
outward gain, we have joined as parties in it ; that
our concurrence with them in their barbarous pro
ceedings, has tended to harden them in cruelty,
and been a means of increasing calamities in their
country ; we must own that herein we have acted
contrary to those worthies whose lives and sub
stance were spent in propagating truth and right
eousness amongst the heathen. When Saul, by
the hand of Doeg, slew fourscore priests at once, he
had a jealousy that one of them at least was con
federate with David, whom he considered as his
enemy. Herod slaying all the male children in
Bethlehem of two years old and under, was an act
of uncommon cruelty ; but he supposed there was
a male child there, within that age, who was likely
to be king of the Jews, and finding no way to de
stroy him but by destroying them all, thought this
the most effectual means to secure the kingdom to
his own family.

When the sentence against the Protestants of
Marindol, &c. in France, was put in execution,
great numbers of people fled to the wilderness ;
amongst whom were ancient people, women great
with child, and others with babes in their arms>
who endured calamities grievous to relate, and iu
the end some perished with hunger, and many were
destroyed by fire and the sword ; but they had this
objection against them, that they obstinately per
sisted in opposition to holy mother church, and
being heretics, it was right to work their ruin and

305

extirpation, and raze out their memory from among
men. Fox s Acts and Monuments,, p. 646.

In favour of those cruelties,, every one had what
they deemed a plea. These scenes of blood and
cruelty among the barbarous inhabitants of Guinea,
are riot less terrible than those now mentioned.
They are continued from one age to another, and
we make ourselves parties and fellow-helpers in
them ; nor do 1 see that we have any plea in our
favour more plausible than the plea of Saul, of
Herod, or the French,, in those slaughters.

Many who are parties in this trade, by keeping
slaves with views of self-interest, were they to go as
soldiers in one of these inland expeditions to catch
slaves, they must necessarily grow dissatisfied with
such employ, or cease to profess their religious
principles. And though the first and most striking
part of the scene is done at a great distance, and by
other hands, yet every one who is acquainted with
the circumstances, and notwithstanding joins in it
for the sake of gain only, must, hi the nature of
things, be chargeable with the others.

Should we consider ourselves present as spec
tators, when cruel negroes privately catch innocent
children, who are employed in the fields ; hear
their lamentable cries, under the most terrifying
apprehensions or should we look upon it as hap
pening in our own families, having our children
carried off by savages, we must needs own, that
such proceedings are contrary to the nature of
Christianity : should we meditate on the wars
which are greatly increased by this trade, an4 on

u

306

that affliction which many thousands live in,
through apprehensions of being taken or slain ; on
the terror and amazement that villages are in., when
surrounded by these troops of enterprizers ; on the
great pain and misery of groaning dying men,, who
get wounded in those skirmishes ; we shall neces
sarily see, that it is impossible to be parties in such
trade, on the motives of gain, and retain our inno
cence.

Should we consider the case of multitudes of
those people, who, in a fruitful soil and hot cli
mate, with a little labour, raise grain, roots, and
pulse, to eat ; spin and weave cotton, and fasten
together the large feathers of fowls, to cover their
nakedness; many of whom, in much simplicity,
live inoffensively in their cottages, and take great
comfort in raising up children.

Should we contemplate on their circumstances
when suddenly attacked, and labour to understand
their inexpressible anguish of soul, who survive the
conflict : should we think on inoffensive women who
fled at the alarm, and at their return saw that
village, in which they and their acquaintance were
raised up, and had pleasantly spent their youthful
days, now lying in a gloomy desolation ; some
shocked at finding the mangled bodies of their near
friends amongst the slain ; others bemoaning the
absence of a brother, a sister, a child, or a whole
family of children, who, by cruel men, are bound
and carried to market, to be sold, without the least
hopes of seeing them again : add to this, the af
flicted condition of these poor captives, who are

307

separated from family connexions, and all the com
forts arising from friendship and acquaintance,
carried amongst a people of a strange language,, to
be parted from their fellow captives, put to labour
in a manner more servile and wearisome than what
they were used to., with many sorrowful circum
stances attending their slavery ; and we must
necessarily see, that it belongs not to the followers
of Christ to be parties in such a trade, on the motives
of outward gain.

Though there were wars and desolation among
the negroes before the Europeans began to trade
there for slaves, yet now the calamities are greatly
increased, so many thousands being ann ually brought
from thence ; and we, by purchasing them, with
views of self-interest, are become parties with them,
and accessary to that increase.

In this case we are not joining against an enemy
who is fomenting discords on our continent, and
using all possible means to make slaves of us and
our children ; but against a people who have not
injured us.

If those who were spoiled and wronged, should
at length make slaves of their oppressors, and con
tinue slavery to their posterity, it would look rigor
ous to candid men ; but to act that part toward a
people, when neither they nor their fathers have
injured us, hath something in it extraordinary, and
requires our serious attention.

Our children breaking a bone, getting so bruised
that a leg or an arm must be taken off; lost for
a few hours, so that we despair of their being found

u 2

SOS

; a friend hurt, so that ho dieth in a day or
two ; these move MS with grief. Did \ve attend
to these scenes in Africa, in like manner as if they
were transacted in our presence ; and sympathize
With the negroes in all their afflictions and miseries,
as we do with our children or friends ; we should
be more careful to do nothing in any degree helping
forward a trade productive of so many and so great
calamities. Great distance makes nothing in our

o

favour. To willingly join with unrighteousness to
the injury of men who live some thousand miles off,
is the same, in substance, as joining with it to the
injury of our neighbours.

In the eye of pure justice, actions are regarded
according to the spirit and disposition they arise
from. Some evils are accounted scandalous, and
the desire of reputation may keep selfish men from
appearing openly in them ; but he, who is shy on
that account, and yet by indirect means promotes
that evil, and shares in the profit of it, cannot be
innocent.

He who, with a view to self-interest, buys a slave,
made so by violence, and only on the strength of
such purchase holds him a slave, thereby joins hands
with those who committed that violence, and, in the
nature of things, becomes chargeable with the guilt.

Suppose a man wants a slave, and, being in
Guinea, goes and hides by the path where boys
pass from one little town to another, and there
catches one the day he expects to sail ; and, taking
him on board, brings him home, without any ag
gravating circumstances. Suppose another buys a

309

man, taken by iheiri who live by plunder and the
slave-trade : they often steal them privately, and
often shed much blood in getting them. He who
buys the slaves thus taken, pays those men for their
wickedness, and makes himself party with them.

Whatever nicety of distinction there may be
betwixt going in person on expeditions to catch
slaves, and buying those, with a view to self-
interest, which others have taken ; it is clear and
plain, to an upright mind, that such distinction is
in words, not in substance ; for the parties are con
cerned in the same work, and have a necessary
connexion with, and dependence on each other ;
for were there none to purchase slaves, they who
live by stealing and selling them, would of conse
quence do less at it.

Some would buy a negro brought from Guinea,
with a view to self-interest, and keep him a slave,
\vho yet would seem to scruple to take arms and
join with men employed in taking slaves.

Others have civil negroes, who were born in our
country, capable and likely to manage well for
themselves; whom they keep as slaves, without
ever trying them with freedom, and take the profit
of their labour as a part of their estates, and yet
disapprove bringing them from their own country.
If those negroes had come here as merchants,
with their ivory and gold-dust, in order to trade
with us, and some powerful person had taken their
effects to himself, and then put them to hard labour,
and ever after considered them as slaves, the action
would be looked upon as unrighteous.

310

Those negro merchants having children after
their being among us, whose endowments and con-
duct were like other people s in common, if, on their
attaining to mature age, and requesting to have
their liberty, they should be told they were born in
slavery, and were lawful slaves, and therefore their
request should be denied ; such conduct toward
them, would be looked upon as unfair and oppres
sive.

In the present case, relating to home-born negroes,
whose understandings and behaviour are as good as
common among other people, if we have any claim
to them as slaves, that claim is grounded on their
being children or offspring of slaves, who, in gene
ral, were made such through means as unrighteous,
and attended with more terrible circumstances than
the case last supposed ; so that when we trace our
claim to the bottom, these home-born negroes hav
ing paid for their education, and given reasonable
security to those who owned them, in case of their
becoming chargeable, we have no more equitable
right to their service, than we should if they were
the children of honest merchants who came from
Guinea in an English vessel to trade with us.

If we claim any right to them as the children of
slaves, we build on the foundation laid by them
who made slaves of their ancestors ; so that of ne
cessity we must either justify the trade, or relin
quish our right to them, as being the children of
slaves.

Why should it seem right to honest men to make
advantage by these people more than by others ?

311

Others enjoy freedom, and receive wages equal to
their work,, at or near such time as they have dis
charged the equitable obligations they are under to
those who educated them these have made no
contract to serve ; been no more expensive in rais
ing up than others, and many of them appear as
likely to make a right use of freedom as other peo
ple ; which way then can an honest man withhold
from them that liberty, which is the free gift of the
Most High to his rational creatures ?

The upright in heart cannot succeed the wicked
in their wickedness ; nor is it consonant to the life
they live, to hold fast an advantage unjustly gained.

The negroes who live by plunder and the slave-
trade, steal poor innocent children, invade their
neighbours territories, and spill much blood to get
these slaves ; arid can it be possible for an honest
man to think that, with a view to self-interest, we
may continue slavery to the offspring of these un
happy sufferers, merely because they are the children
of slaves, and not have a share of this guilt ?

It is granted by many, that the means used in
getting them are unrighteous, and that buying them,
when brought here, is wrong ; yet, as setting them
free is attended with some difficulty, they do riot
comply with it ; but seem to be of the opinion, that
to give them food and raiment, and keep them ser
vants without any other wages, is the best way to
manage them that they know of; and hoping
that their children after them will not be cruel to
the negroes, conclude to leave them as slaves to
their children.

312

While present outward interest is the chief ob
ject of our attention,, we shall feel many objections
in our minds against renouncing our claim to them,
as the children of slaves ; for being prepossessed
with wrong opinions, prevents our seeing things
clearly, which, to indifferent persons, are easy to
be seen.

Suppose a person seventy years past, in low cir
cumstances,, bought a negro man and woman, and
that the children of such person are now wealthy,
and have the children of such slaves. Admit that
the first negro man and his wife did as much bu-r
siness as their master and mistress,, and that the
chili! ren of the slaves have done some more than
their young masters. Suppose, on the whole,, thai
the expense of living has been less on the negroes
side, than on the other (all which are no improba
ble suppositions^) it follows, that in equity, these
negroes have a right to a part of this increase : that
should some difficulties arise on their being set free
there is reason for us patiently to labour through
them.

As the conduct of men varies, relating to civil
society ; so different treatment is justly due to
them. Indiscreet men occasion trouble in the world ;
and it remains to be the care of such, who seek the
good of mankind, to admonish as they find occa
sion.

The slothfulness of some of them, in providing for
themselves and families, it is likely, would require
the notice of their neighbours; nor is it unlikely
that some would, with justice, be made servants,

313

and others punished for their crimes. Pure justice
points out to each individual his due ; but to deny
a people the privilege of human creatures, on a sup
position, that, being free, many of them would be
troublesome to us, is to mix the condition of good
and bad men together, and treat the whole as the
worst of them deserve.

If we seriously consider, that liberty is the right
of innocent men ; that the mighty God is a refuge
for the oppressed; that in reality we are indebted to
them ; that they being set free, are still liable to the
penalties of our laws, and as likely to have punish
ment for their crimes as other people : this may
answer all our objections. And to retain them in
perpetual servitude, without just cause for it, will
produce effects, in the event, more grievous than
setting them free would do, when a real love to
truth and equity was the motive to it.

Our authority over them stands originally hi a
purchase made from those who, as to the general,
obtained theirs by unrighteousness. Whenever we
have recourse to such authority, it tends more or
less to obstruct the channels, through which the
perfect plant in us receives nourishment.

There is a principle, which is pure, placed in the
human mind, which in different places and ages hath
had different names ; it is, however, pure, and pro
ceeds from God. It is deep, and inward, confined
to no forms of religion, rior excluded from any,
where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In
whomsoever this takes root, and grows, of what na
tion soever, they become brethren, in the best sense

314

of the expression. Using ourselves to take ways
which appear most easy to us, when inconsistent
with that purity, which is without beginning, we
thereby set up a government of our own, and deny
obedience to Him, whose service is true liberty.

He that hath a servant, made so wrongfully, and
knows it to be so, when he treats him otherwise than
a free man, when he reaps the benefit of his labour,
without paying him such wages as are reasonably
due to freemen for the like service, clothes except-
ed; these things, though done in calmness, without
any show of disorder, do yet deprave the mind in
like manner, and with as great certainty, as prevail
ing cold congeals water. These steps taken by
masters, and their conduct striking the minds of
their children whilst young, leave less room for that
which is good to work upon them. The customs
of their parents, their neighbours, and the people
with whom they converse, working upon their
minds; and they, from thence conceiving ideas of
things, and modes of conduct, the entrance into
their hearts becomes, in a great measure, shut up
against the gentle rnovings of uncreated purity.

From one age to another, the gloom grows
thicker and darker, till error gets established by
general opinion ; that whoever attends to perfect
goodness, and remains under the melting influence
of it, finds a path unknown to many, and sees the
necessity to lean upon the arm of divine strength,
and dwell alone ; or with a few in the right, com
mitting their cause to Him, who is a refuge for his
people in all their troubles.

315

Where, through the agreement of a multitude,
some channels of justice are stopped, and men may
support their characters,, as just men, by being just
to a party, there is great danger of contracting an
alliance with that spirit, which stands in opposition
to the God of love, and spreads discord, trouble,
and vexation, among such as give up to the
influence of it.

Negroes are our fellow-creatures., and their pre
sent condition amongst us requires our serious con
sideration. We know not the time when those
scales, in which mountains are weighed, may turn.
The Parent of mankind is gracious : his care is
over his smallest creatures; and a multitude of men
escape riot his notice ; and though many of them
are trodden down, and despised, yet He remembers
them. He seeth their affliction, and looketh upon
the spreading,increasing, exaltation of the oppressor.
He turns the channels of power, humbles the most
haughty people, and gives deliverance to the op
pressed, at such periods as are consistent with his
infinite justice and goodness. And wherever gain
is preferred to equity, and wrong things publicly
encouraged to that degree, that wickedness takes
root, and spreads wide amongst the inhabitants of
a country, there is real cause for sorrow to all
such, whose love to mankind stands on a true prin
ciple, and who wisely consider the end and event of
things.

CONSIDERATIONS
JffB r^fR.t3NH?iJftOD k> Ttj^nnB^lKCX J^j V.i ) r ,

PURE WISDOM, AND HUMAN POLICY;

ON

LABOUR-

ON

SCHOOLS;

AND ON

THE RIGHT USE OF THE LORD S
OUTWARD GIFTS.

[First printed in the Year 1768.]

INTRODUCTION.

MY mind hath often been affected with sorrow on
account of the prevailing of that spirit, which leads
from an humble waiting on the inward teaching of
Christ, to pursue ways of living, attended with un
necessary labour, and which draws forth the minds
of many people to seek after outward power, and
to strive for riches, which frequently introduce op
pression, and bring forth wars and grievous calami
ties.

It is with reverence that I acknowledge the mer
cies of our heavenly Father, who, in infinite love,

317

did visit me in my youth, and wrought a belief in
me, that through true obedience a state of inward
purity may be known in this life, in which we may
love mankind in the same love with which our
Redeemer loveth us, and therein learn resignation
to endure hardships, for the real good of others.

fc While the eye is single, the whole body is full
of light/ Matt. vi. 22. but for want of this, selfish
desires, and an imaginary superiority, darken the
mind: hence injustice frequently proceeds; and
where this is the case to convince the judgment, is
the most effectual remedy.

Where violent measures are pursued in opposing
injustice, the passions and resentments of the in
jured, frequently operate in the prosecution of their
designs ; and, after conflicts productive of very
great calamities, the minds of contending parties
often remain as little acquainted with the pure prin
ciple of divine love, as they were before ; but where
people walk in that pure light in which all their
" works are wrought in God/ John iii. 21. and,
under oppression, persevere in the meek spirit,
and abide firm in the cause of truth, without
actively complying with oppressive demands,
through those the Lord hath often manifested his
power, in opening the understandings of others, to
the promoting of righteousness in the earth.

A time, I believe is coming, wherein this divine
work will so spread arid prevail, that " Nation shall
not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any
more/ Isaiah, ii. 4. And as we, through the ten-

318

der mercies of God,, do feel that this precious work
is begun,, I am concerned to encourage my breth
ren and sisters in a holy care and diligence, that
each of us may so live under the sanctifying power
of truth, as to be redeemed from all unnecessary
cares ; that our eye being single to Him,, no customs
however prevalent, which are contrary to the wis
dom from above, may hinder us from faithfully fol
lowing his holy leadings, in whatsoever he may
graciously appoint for us.

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy, and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy." JAMES iii. 17.

On Pure Wisdom, and Human Policy.

To have our trust settled in the Lord, and not
to seek after, nor desire outward treasures, any fur
ther than his Holy Spirit leads us therein, is a
happy state, as saith the prophet, ee Blessed is the
man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the
Lord is."

Pure wisdom leads people into lowliness of mind,
in which they learn resignation to the divine will,
and contentment in suffering for his cause, when
they cannot keep a clear conscience without suf
fering.

In this pure wisdom the mind is attentive to the
root, and original spring of motions and desires ;
and as we know "the Lord to be our refuge/ and
find no safety, but in humbly walking before Him ;
we feel an holy engagement, that every desire
which leads therefrom may be brought to judg
ment.

320

While we proceed in this precious way, and find
ardent longings for a full deliverance from every
thing which defiles ; all prospects of gain,, that are
not consistent with the wisdom from above, are con
sidered as snares, and an inward concern is felt, that
we may live under the cross, and faithfully attend
to that Holy Spirit., which is sufficient to preserve
out of them.

When I have considered that saying of Christ,
Mat. vi. 19, C( Lay not up for yourselves treasures
upon earth ;" his omnipotence hath often occurred
to my mind.

While we believe that He is every where present
with his people, and, that perfect goodness, wisdom
and power, are united in Him, how comfortable is
the consideration.

Our wants may be great, but his power is greater.
We may be oppressed and despised, but He is able
to turn our patient sufferings into profit to our
selves, and to the advancement of his work on
earth. His people, who feel the power of his cross,
to crucify all that is selfish in them ; who are en
gaged in outward concerns, from a convincernent
that it is their duty, and resign themselves, and their
treasures, to Him ; these feel that it is dangerous to
give way to that in us, which craves riches and
greatness in this world.

As the heart, truly contrite, earnestly desires cc to
know Christ, and the fellowship of his sufferings/
Phil. iii. 10. so far as the Lord for gracious ends
may lead into them ; as such, feel that it is their in
terest to put their trust in God, and to seek no gain

321

but that which he, by his Holy Spirit, leads into ;
so, on the contrary, they who do not reverently wait
for this divine teacher, and are not humbly con
cerned, according 1 to their measure, " to fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ," Col. i.
#4, in patiently suffering for the promoting- of right
eousness in the earth ; but have an eye toward the
power of men, and the outward advantage of wealth,
these are often attentive to those employments
which appear profitable, even though the gains
arise from such trade and business which proceeds
from the working s of that spirit, which is estranged
from the self-denying life of an humble, contrite
Christian.

While I write on this subject, I feel my mind ten
derly affected toward those honestly disposed peo
ple, who have been brought up in employments
attended with those difficulties.

To such I may say, in the feeling of our heavenly
Father s love, and number myself with you, O that
our eyes may be single to the Lord ! May we
reverently wait on him for strength, to lay aside all
unnecessary expense of every kind, and learn con
tentment in a plain, simple life.

May we, in lowliness, submit to the leadings of his
spirit, and enter upon any outward employ which He
graciously points out to us, and then whatever diffi
culties arise, in consequence of our faithfulness, I
trust they will work for our good.

Small treasure to a resigned mind is sufficient.
How happy is it to be content with a little, tp live

322

in humility, and feel that in us, which breathes out
this language, Abba ! Father.

If that, called the wisdom of this world, had no
resemblance to true wisdom, the name of wisdom,
I suppose, had not been given to it.

As wasting outward substance, to gratify vain
desires, on one hand ; so slothfulness and neglect,
on the other, do often involve men and their fami
lies in trouble, and reduce them to want and dis
tress. To shun both these opposite vices, is good in
itself, and hath a resemblance to wisdom ; but while
people thus provident, have it principally in view to
get riches, and power, and the friendship of this
world, and do not humbly wait for the spirit of truth
to lead them in purity; these through an anxious
care to obtain the end desired, reach forth for gain
in worldly wisdom, and in regard to their inward
state, fall into divers temptations and snares. And
though such may think of applying wealth to good
purposes, and using their power to prevent oppres
sion, yet wealth and power are often applied other
wise; nor can we depart from the leadings of our
holy shepherd, without going into confusion.

Great wealth is frequently attended with power,
which nothing but divine love can qualify the mind
to use rightly ; and, as to the humility, and upright
ness of our children after us, how great is the un
certainty! If, in acquiring wealth, we take hold on
the wisdom which is from beneath, and depart
from the leadings of truth, and example our chil
dren herein, we have great cause to apprehend,,

SS3

that wealth may be a snare to them ; and prove an
injury to others, over whom their wealth may give
them power.

To be redeemed from that wisdom which is from
beneath, and walk in the light of the Lord, is a
precious situation ; thus his people are brought to
put their trust in Him ; and, in this humble confi
dence in his wisdom, goodness and power, the right
eous find a refuge in adversities, superior to the
greatest outward helps, and a comfort more certain
than any worldly advantages can afford.

On Labour.

Having, from my childhood, been used to bodily
labour for a living, I may express my experience
therein.

Right exercise affords an innocent pleasure in the
time of it, and prepares us to enjoy the sweetness
of rest ; but, from the extremes each way, arise in-
conveniencies.

Moderate exercise opens the pores, gives the
blood a lively circulation, and the better enables us
to judge rightly respecting that portion of labour
which is the true medium.

The fowls of the air sow not, nor gather into
barns, yet our heavenly Father feedeth them/
Matt. vi. 26; nor do I believe that infinite good
ness and power would have allotted labour to us,
had He not seen that labour was proper for us in
this life.

x 2

S24

The original design, and true medium of labour,
is a subject, that, to me, appears worthy of our
serious consideration.

Idle men are often a burden to themselves, neg
lect the duty they owe to their families, and become
burdensome to others also.

As outward labour, directed by the wisdom from
above, tends to our health, and adds to our happi
ness in this life ; so, on the contrary, entering upon
it in a selfish spirit, and pursuing it too long, or too
hard, has a contrary effect.

I have observed, that too much labour not only
makes the understanding dull, but so intrudes upon
the harmony of the body, that, after ceasing from
our toil, we have another to pass through, before
\ve can be so composed as to enjoy the sweetness
of rest.

From too much labour in the heat, frequently
proceed immoderate sweats, which do often, I be
lieve, open the way for disorders, and impair our
constitutions.

When we go beyond the true medium, and feel
weariness approaching, but think business may suf
fer if we cease, at such a time spirituous liquors are
frequently taken, with a view to support nature
under these fatigues.

I have found that too much labour, in the sum
mer, heats the blood ; that taking strong drink to
support the body under such labour, increaseth that
heat, and though a person may be so far temperate
as not to manifest the least disorder, yet the mind,
in such a circumstance, doth not retain that calm-

ness and serenity,, which we should endeavour to
live in.

Thus toiling in the heat, and drinking strong
liquor, make men more resolute, and less consi
derate, and tend very much to disqualify them
from successfully following Him who was meek and
low of heart.

As laying out business, more than is consistent
with pure wisdom, is an evil, so this evil frequently
leads into more. Too much business leads to
hurry. In the hurry and toil, too much strong
drink is often used, and hereby many proceed to
noise, wantonness, and some, though more consi
derate, do often suffer loss, as to a true composed -
ness of mind.

I feel sincere desires in my heart, that no rent,
nor interest, might be laid so high as to be a snare
to tenants ; that no desires of gain may draw any
too far in business ; that no cares to support cus
toms, which have not their foundation in pure
wisdom, may have place in our minds; but that we
may build on the sure foundation, and feel our holy
Shepherd to lead us, who alone is able to preserve
us, and bring forth from every thing that defiles.

Having several times, in my travels, had oppor
tunity to observe the labour and manner of life of
great numbers of slaves, it appears to me that the
true medium is lamentably neglected by many, who
assign them their portion of labour.

Without saying much at this time, concerning
buying and selling men for term of life, who have
as just a right to liberty as we have, nor about the

326

great miseries, and effusion of blood,, consequent on
promoting the slave trade; and to speak as favour
ably as may be, with regard to continuing those in
bondage who are amongst us, we cannot say there
is no partiality in it. For, whatever tenderness may
be manifested by individuals in their life time, to
ward them, yet for people to be transmitted from a
man to his posterity, in the helpless condition of
slaves, appears inconsistent with the nature of the
gospel spirit. From such proceedings it often fol
lows, that persons in the decline of life, are deprived
of monies equitably due to them, and committed to
the care, and subjected to the absolute power of
young unexperienced men, who know but little
about the weakness of old age, nor understand the
language of declining life.

Where parents give their estates to their children,
and then depend on them for a maintenance, they
sometimes meet with great inconveniencies; but if
the power of possession, thus obtained, doth often
reverse the obligations of gratitude and filial duty,
and make manifest, that youth are often ignorant
of the language of old age, how hard is the case
of ancient negroes, who, deprived of the wages
equitably due to them, are left to young people,
who have been used to look upon them as their
inferiors.

For men to behold the fruits of their labour with
held from them, and possessed by others, and in old
age, find themselves destitute of those comfortable
accommodations, and that tender regard which their
time of life requires.

When they feel pains, and stillness in their joints
and limbs,, weakness of appetite, and that a little
labour is wearisome, and still behold themselves in
the neglected, uncomfortable, condition of a slave,
and, oftentimes, to a young, unsympathising man.

For men to be thus treated, from one generation
to another, who, besides their own distresses, think
on the slavery entailed on their posterity, and are
grieved! What disagreeable thoughts must they
have of the professed followers of Jesus! and how
must their groans ascend to that Almighty Being,
who " will be a refuge for the oppressed/ Psalm
ix. 9.

On Schools.

r -^

.. u Suffer the little children to come unto me ? and forbid them not,
Xv^^ for of such is the kingdom of God." Mark x. 14. ^/

To encourage children to do things with a view
to get praise of men, to me appears an obstruction
to their being inwardly acquainted with the spirit of
truth. For it is the work of the Holy Spirit to
direct the mind to God, that in all our proceedings
we may have a single eye to Him. To give alms in
secret, to fast in secret, and labour to keep clear of
that disposition reproved by our Saviour, " But all
their works they do for to be seen of men/ Matt,
xxiii. 5.

That divine light which enlightens all men, I
believe docs often shine in the minds of children

328

very early, and to humbly wait for wisdom, that
our conduct toward them may tend to forward
their acquaintance with it, and strengthen them in
obedience thereto, appears to me to be a duty on
all of us.

By cherishing the spirit of pride, and the love of
praise in them, I believe they may sometimes im
prove faster in learning, than otherwise they would ;
but to take measures to forward children in learn
ing, which naturally tend to divert their minds from
true humility, appears to me to savour of the wis
dom of this world.

If tutors are riot acquainted with sanctiiication of
spirit, nor experienced in an humble waiting for the
leadings of truth, but follow the maxims of the wis
dom of this world, such children who are under their
tuition, appear to me to be in danger of imbibing
thoughts, and apprehensions, reverse to that meek
ness, and lowliness of heart, which is necessary for
all the true followers of Christ.

Children at an age fit for schools, are in a time
of life which requires the patient attention of pious
people, and if we commit them to the tuition of
such, whose minds we believe are not rightly pre
pared to " train them up in the nurture and admo
nition of the Lord/ we are in danger of not acting
the part of faithful parents toward them. For our
heavenly Father doth not require us to do evil, that
good may come of it; and it is needful that we
deeply examine ourselves, lest we get entangled in
the wisdom of this world, and through wrong ap
prehensions, take such methods in education, as

329

may prove a great injury to the minds of our
children.

It is a lovely sight to behold innocent children ! and
when they are sent to such schools where their ten
der minds are in imminentdanger of being led astray
by tutors,, who do not live a self-denying life,, or by
the conversation of such children, who do not live
in innocence, it is a case much to be lamented.

While a pious tutor hath the charge of no more
children than he can take due care of, and keeps his
authority in the truth, the good spirit in which he
leads and governs, works on the minds of such who
are not hardened,, and his labours not only tend to
bring them forward in outward learning, but to
open their understandings with respect to the true
Christian life ; but where a person hath charge of
too many, and his thoughts and time are so much
employed in the outward affairs of his school, that
he does not so weightily attend to the spirit and
conduct of each individual, as to be enabled to ad
minister rightly to all in due season ; through such
omission he not only suffers, as to the state of his
own mind, but the minds of the children are in
danger of suffering also.

To watch the spirit of children,, to nurture them
in gospel love, and labour to help them against that
which would mar the beauty of their minds, is a
debt we owe them ; and a faithful performance of our
duty, not only tends to their lasting benefit, and
our own peace, but also to render their company
agreeable to us.

Instruction thus administered, reaches the pure

330

witness in the minds of such children who are not
hardened, and begets love in them toward those who
thus lead them on; but where too great a number
are committed to a tutor, and he, through much
cumber, omits a careful attention to the rninds of
children, there is danger of disorders gradually in
creasing amongst them, until the effects thereof
appear in their conduct, too strong to be easily
remedied.

A care hath lived on my mind, that more time
might be employed by parents at home, and by
tutors at school, in weightily attending to the spirit
and inclinations of children, and that we may so
lead, instruct, and govern them, in this tender part
of life, that nothing may be omitted in our power,
to help them on their way to become the children
of our Father, who is in heaven.

Meditating on the situation of schools in our pro
vinces, my mind hath, at times, been affected with
sorrow, and, under these exercises, it hath appeared
to me, that if those who have large estates, were
faithful stewards, and laid no rent, nor interest, nor
other demand, higher than is consistent with uni
versal love ; and those in lower circumstances,
would, under a moderate employ, shun unnecessary
expense, even to the smallest article ; and all unite,
in humbly seeking to the Lord, He would graciously
instruct us, and strengthen us to relieve the youth
from various snares, in which many of them are
entangled.

331

On the right use of the Lord s outward gifts.

As our understandings are opened by the pure
light, we experience that, through an inward ap
proaching to God, the mind is strengthened in
obedience ; and that,, by gratifying those desires
which are not of his begetting, those approaches
to Him are obstructed, and the deceivable spirit
gains strength.

These truths, being as it were engraven upon our
hearts, and our everlasting interest in Christ evi
dently concerned herein, we become fervently en
gaged, that nothing may be nourished which tends
to feed pride or self-love in us. Thus, in pure obe
dience, we are not onlv instructed in our duty to
God, but also in the affairs which necessarily relate
to this life, and the Spirit of truth, which guides into
all truth, leavens the mind with a pious concern,
that whatsoever we do in word or deed, may be
done in his name. Col. iii. 17.

Hence, such buildings, furniture, food, and rai
ment, as best answer our necessities, and are the
least likely to feed that selfish spirit which is our
enemy, are the most acceptable to us.

In this state the mind is tender, arid inwardly
watchful, that the love of gain draw us not into
any business, which may weaken our love to our
heavenly Father, or bring unnecessary trouble to
any of his creatures.

Thus the way gradually opens to cease from that

332

spirit which craves riches and things fetched far,
which so mixeth with the customs of this world,
and so intrudes upon the true harmony of life, that
the right medium of labour is very much departed
from. And as the minds of people are settled in a
steady concern, not to hold nor possess any thing
but what may be held consistent with the wisdom
from above, they consider what they possess as the
gift of God, and are inwardly exercised, that in all
parts of their conduct they may act agreeably to the
nature of the peaceable government of Christ.

A little supports such a life ; and in a state truly
resigned to the Lord, the eye is single, to see what
outward employ He leads into, as a means of our
subsistence, and a lively care is maintained to hold
to that without launching further.

There is a harmony in the several parts of this
divine work in the hearts of people. He who leads
them to cease from those gainful employments,
carried on in that wisdom which is from beneath,
delivers also from the desire after worldly great-
.ness, and reconciles the mind to a life so plain, that
a little doth suffice.

Here the real comforts of life are not lessened.
Moderate exercise, in the way of true wisdom, is
pleasant both to mind and body.

Pood and raiment sufficient, though in the great
est simplicity, are accepted with content and grati
tude.

The mutual love, subsisting between the faithful
followers of Christ, is more pure than that friend-

ship which is not seasoned with humility, how spe
cious soever the appearance.

Where people depart from pure wisdom in one
case, it is often an introduction to depart from it in
many more; and thus a spirit which seeks for out
ward greatness, and leads into worldly wisdom to
attain it, and support it, gets possession of the
mind.

Jn beholding the customary departure from the
true medium of labour, and that unnecessary toil
which many go through, -in supporting outward
greatness, and procuring delicacies.

In beholding how the true calmness of life is
changed into hurry, and that many, by eagerly pur
suing outward treasure, are in great danger of
withering, as to the inward state of the mind.

In meditating on the works of this spirit, and on
the desolations it makes amongst the professors of
Christianity, I may thankfully acknowledge, that
I often feel pure love beget longings in my heart,
for the exaltation of the peaceable kingdom of
Christ, and an engagement to labour according to
the gift bestowed on me, for the promoting an hum
ble, plain, temperate way of living : a life where no
unnecessary cares, nor expenses, may encumber our
rninds, nor lessen our ability to do good ; where no
desires after riches, or greatness, may lead into hard
dealings; where no connection with worldly-minded
men, may abate our love to God, nor weaken a
true zeal for righteousness : a life, wherein we may
diligently labour for resignedness to do, and suffer,

334

whatever our heavenly Father may allot for us, in
reconciling the world to Himself.

When the prophet Isaiah had uttered his vision,
and declared that a time was coming wherein
swords should be beaten into plough-shares,, and
spears into priming-hooks, and that nation should
not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any
more; he immediately directs the minds of peo
ple to the divine teacher, in this remarkable lan
guage, " O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us
walk in the light of the Lord." Isaiah ii. 5.

To wait for the direction of this light, in all tem
poral as well as spiritual concerns, appears neces
sary ; for if in any case we enter lightly into tem
poral affairs, without feeling this Spirit of truth to
open our way therein, and, through the love of this
world, proceed on, and seek for gain by that busi
ness or traffic, which fc is not of the Father, but of
the world/ 1 John ii. 16, we fail in our testimony
to the purity and peace of his government ; and get
into that which is for chastisement.

This matter hath lain heavy on my mind, it be
ing evident that, a life less humble, less simple and
plain, than that which Christ leads his sheep into,
does necessarily require a support, which pure wis
dom does not provide for ; hence, there is no pro
bability of our being cc a peculiar people, so zeal
ous of good works, as to have no fellowship with
works of darkness," Titus ii. 14. Ephes, v. 11.
while we have wants to supply, which have their
foundation in custom, and do not come within the

335

meaning of those expressions, " your heavenly Fa
ther knoweth that ye have need of all these things."
Mat. vi. 32.

These things which He beholds necessary for his
people, He fails not to give them,, in his own way
and time; but,, as his ways are above our ways, and
his thoughts above our thoughts, so, imaginary
wants are different from these things which he
knoweth that we have need of.

As my meditations have been on these things,
compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-
creatures, involved in customs, grown up in cc the
wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with
God/ 1 Cor. iii. 19 ; and, O that the youth may be
so thoroughly experienced in an humble walking
before the Lord, that they may be his children, and
know Him to be their refuge, their safe unfailing
refuge, through the various dangers attending this
uncertain state of being !

If those whose minds are redeemed from the
love of wealth, and who are content with a plain
simple way of living, do yet find that to conduct
the affairs of a family, without giving countenance
to unrighteous proceedings, or having fellowship
with works of darkness, the most diligent care is
necessary.

If customs, distinguishable from universal righte
ousness, and opposite to the true self-denying life,
are now prevalent, and so mixed with trade, and
with almost every employ, that it is only through
humble waiting on the inward guidance of Truth,

336

that we may reasonably hope to walk safely, and
support an uniform testimony to the peaceable go
vernment of Christ.

If this be the case, how lamentably do they ex
pose themselves to temptations, who give way to
the love of riches, conform to expensive living",
and reach forth for gain, to support customs, which
our holy Shepherd leads not into.

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE

TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND, AND
HOW IT IS TO BE MAINTAINED.

[First printed in the Year 1770.]

INTRODUCTION.

As mankind^ from one parent are divided into
many families, and as trading to sea is greatly in
creased within a few ages past ; amidst this ex
tended commerce, how necessary is it, that the
professed followers of Christ keep sacred his holy
name, and be employed about trade and traffic no
farther than justice and equity evidently accom
pany? that we may give no just cause of offence
to any, however distant, or unable to plead their
own cause ; and may continually keep in view the
spreading of the true and saving knowledge ot
God, and his son Jesus Christ, ampngst our fellow-
creatures, which, through his infinite love., some feel
to be more precious than any other treasure.

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

u And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peo
ple, as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that
tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men."
MICAII v. 7.

CHAP. I.

On serving the Lord in our outward employments.

UNDER the humbling dispensations of the Father
of Mercies, I have felt an inward labour for the
good of my fellow-creatures, and a concern that the
Holy Spirit, which alone can restore mankind to a
state of true harmony, may, with singleness of
heart, be waited for and followed.

I trust, there are many under that visitation,
which, if faithfully attended to, will make them
quick of understanding in the fear of the Lord, and
qualify with firmness to be true patterns of the
Christian lire, who, in living and walking, may hold
forth an invitation to others, to come out of the
entanglements of the spirit of this world.

And that which I feel first to express is, a care
for those who are in circumstances which appear
difficult, with respect to supporting their families
in a way answerable to pure wisdom, that they may

339

not be discouraged, but remember, that in humbly
obeying the leading of Christ he owneth us as his
friends : " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I
command you ;" and to be a friend to Christ, is to
be united to Him who hath all power in heaven
and in earth ; and, though a woman may forget her
sucking child, yet will He not forget his faithful
ones.

The condition of many who dwell in cities hath
often affected me with a brotherly sympathy, at
tended with a desire, that resignation may be la
boured for; and where the holy Leader directeth to
a country life, or some change of employ. He may
be faithfully followed. For, under the refining hand
of the Lord, I have seen, that the inhabitants of
some cities are greatly increased through some
branches of business, which his Holy Spirit doth not
lead into, and that being entangled in these things
tends to bring a cloud over the minds of people
convinced of the leadings of this holy Leader, and
obstructs the corning of the kingdom of Christ on
earth as it is in heaven.

Now, if we indulge a desire to imitate our neigh
bours in those things which harmonize not with the
true Christian walking, these entanglements may
hold fast to us, and some who, in an awakening time,
feel tender scruples with respect to their manner of
life, may look on the example of others more noted
in the church, who yet may not be refined from
every degree of dross. By looking on these ex
amples, and desiring to support their families in
a way pleasant to the natural mind, there may be

340

danger of the worldly wisdom gaining strength in
them, and of their departure from that pure feeling
of truth, which, if faithfully attended to, would
teach contentment in the Divine will, even in a very
low estate.

One formerly speaking on the profitableness of
true humility, saith, fc He that troubles not himself
with anxious thoughts for more than is necessary,
lives little less than the life of angels ; whilst, by a
mind content with little, he imitates their want of
nothing/ Cave s Primitive Christianity, p. 31.

" It is not enough, saysTertullian, that a Christian
be chaste and modest, but he must appear to be so :
a virtue of which he should have so great a store,
that it should flow from his mind upon his habit,
and break from the retirements of his conscience,
into the superficies of his life/ Ibid. p. 43.

Cf The garments we wear, says Clemens, ought to
be mean and frugal. That is true simplicity of
habit, which takes away what is vain and super
fluous ; that the best and most solid garment, which
is the farthest from curiosity/ Ibid, p. 49.

Though the change from day to night is by a
motion so gradual as scarcely to be perceived, yet
when night is come, we behold it very different from
the day ; and thus, as people become wise in their
own eyes, and prudent in their own sight, customs
rise up from the spirit of this world, and spread, by
little and little, till a departure from the simplicity
that there is in Christ, becomes as distinguishable as
light from darkness, to such as are crucified to the
world.

341

Our holy Shepherd, to encourage his flock in
firmness and perseverance, reminds them of his love
for them. (< As the Father hath loved me, so have
I loved you; continue ye in my love;" and, in
another place graciously points out the danger of
departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable em
ployments. This he represents in the similitude of
offence from that useful, active member, the hand ;
and, to fix the instruction the deeper, names the
right hand : (C If thy right hand offend thee, cut it
off, and cast it from thee." If thou feelest offence
in thy employment, humbly follow him who leads
into all truth, and is a strong and faithful friend to
those who are resigned to him.

Again, he points out those things which, appear
ing pleasant to the natural mind, are not best for
us, in the similitude of offence from the eye, f( If
thy right eye offend thee pluck it out, and cast it
from thee/ 3 To pluck out the eye, or cut off the
hand, is attended with sharp pain; and how pre
cious is the instruction which our Redeemer thus
opens to us, that we may not faint under the most
painful trials, but put our trust in Him, even in Him
who sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness,
who fed a multitude with a few barley loaves, and
is now as attentive to the wants of his people as
ever.

The prophet Isaiah represents the unrighteous
doings of the Israelites toward the poor, as the fruits
of an effeminate life : " As for my people, children
are their oppressors, and women rule over them ;
what mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces,

342

and grind the faces of the poor, saith the Lord God/
Then he mentions the haughtiness of the daughters
of Sion, and enumerates many ornaments as in
stances of their vanity., to uphold which the poor
were so hardly dealt with., that he sets forth their
poverty, their leanness, and inability to help them
selves, in the similitude of a man maimed by vio
lence, or " beaten to pieces/ and forced to endure
the painful operation of having his face gradually
worn away in the manner of grinding.

And I may here add that, at times, when I have
felt true love open my heart towards my fellow-
creatures, and been engaged in weighty conversation
in the cause of righteousness, the instructions I have
received under these exercises, in regard to the true
use of the outward gifts of God, have made deep
and lasting impressions on my mind.

I have here beheld, how the desire to provide
wealth, and to uphold a delicate life, hath griev
ously entangled many, and been like snares to their
offspring ; and though some have been affected with
a sense of their difficulties, and appeared desirous,
at times, to be helped out of them ; yet, for want of
abiding under the humbling power of truth, they
have continued in these entanglements ; for, in
remaining conformable to this world, and giving
way to a delicate life, this expensive way of living,
in parents and in children, hath called for a large
supply, and, in answering this call, " the faces of
the poor" have been ground away, and made thin
through hard dealing.

There is balm ! there is a physician ! and O, what

343

longings do I feel, that we may embrace the means
appointed for our healing; know that removed
which now ministers cause for the cries of many
people to ascend to heaven against their oppressors ;
and that we may see the true harmony restored !

Behold " how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity." The nature
of this unity is thus opened by the apostle ; " If we
walk in the light,, as Christ is in the light,, we shall
have fellowship one with another,, and the blood of
Christ will cleanse us from all sin/

The land may be polluted with innocent blood,
which, like the blood of Abel, may cry to the Al
mighty ; but those who " walk in the light, as Christ
is in the light/ they know the " Lamb of God, who
taketh away sin."

Walking is a phrase frequently used in Scripture,
to represent our journey through life, and appears
to comprehend the various affairs and transactions
properly relating to our being in this world.

Christ being the light, dwells always in the light;
and, if our walking be thus, arid in every affair and
concern we faithfully follow this divine Leader; he
preserves from giving just cause for any to quarrel
with us. Where this foundation is laid and mu
tually kept to, by families conversant with each
other, the way is open for these comforts in society,
which our heavenly Father intends as a part of our
happiness in this world ; and then we may experi
ence the goodness and pleasa-itness of dwelling
together in unity ; but where ways of living take
place, which tend to oppression, and in the pursuit

344

of wealth,, people do that to others which they know
would not be acceptable to themselves, either in
exercising an absolute power over them, or other-^
wise laying on them unequitable burdens ; here a
fear lest that measure should be meted to them,
which they have measured to others, incites a care
to support that by craft and cunning devices which
stands not on the firm foundation of righteousness :
thus the harmony of society is broken, and from
hence commotions and wars do frequently arise in
the world.

tf Come out of Babylon, my people, that ye
be not partakers of her sins, arid that ye receive not
of her plagues. Rev. xv. 3, 4. This Babel, or
Babylon, was built in the spirit of self-exaltation :
" Let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may
reach to heaven, and let us make us a name/
Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble trust in
God, and following a selfish spirit, people have in
tentions to get the upper hand of their fellow-
creatures, privately meditate on means to obtain
their ends, and have a language in their hearts
which is hard to understand. In Babel the language
is confounded.

This city is represented as a place of business,,
and those employed in it as merchants of the earth :
ff The merchants of the earth are waxed rich,
through the abundance of her delicacies. * Rev.
xviii. 3.

And it is remarkable in this call, that the lan
guage from the Father of Mercies, is, cf Come
out of Babylon, my people !" Thus., his tender

345

mercies are toward us in an imperfect state ; and,
as we faithfully attend to the call, the path of
righteousness is more and more opened ; cravings,
which have not their foundation in pare wisdom,
more and more cease; and in an inward purity of
heart, we experience a restoration of that which
was lost at Babel, represented by the inspired
prophet in the (( returning of a pure language. 1
Zeph. iii. 9.

Happy for them who humbly attend to the call,
fl Come out of Babylon, my people !" For though
in going forth we may meet with trials, which for
a time may be painful, yet, as we bow in true
humility, and continue in it, an evidence is felt that
God only is wise ; and that in weaning us from all
that is selfish, He prepares the way to a quiet habi
tation, where all our desires are bounded by his
wisdom. And an exercise of spirit attends rne, that
we who are convinced of the pure leadings of
truth, may bow, in the deepest reverence, and so
watchfully regard this Leader, that many, who are
grievously entangled in a wilderness of vain cus
toms, may look upon us and be instructed. And
O that such who have plenty of this world s goods,
may be faithful in that with which they are en
trusted, and example others in the true Christian
walking !

Our blessed Saviour, speaking on worldly great
ness, compares himself to one waiting and attending
on a company at dinner : fc Whether is greater, he
that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth ? Is not lit?

346

that sitteth at meat ? but I am amongst you as he
that serveth." Luke xxii. 27.

Thus, in a world greatly disordered, where men
aspiring to outward greatness were wont to oppress
others to support their designs, he who was of the
highest descent, being the Son of God, and greater
than any amongst the greatest families of men, by his
example and doctrines, foreclosed his followers from
claiming any show of outward greatness, from any
supposed superiority in themselves or derived from
their ancestors.

He who was greater than earthly princes, was
not only meek and low of heart ; but his outward
appearance was plain and lowly, and free from
every stain of the spirit of this world.

Such was the example of our blessed Redeemer,
of whom the beloved disciple said, " He that saith,
he abideth in Him, ought also to walk, even as he
walked."

John Bradford, who suffered martyrdom under
queen Mary, wrote a letter to his friends out of
prison, a short time before he was burnt, in which
are these expressions J^t Consider your dignity as
children of God and temples of the Holy Ghost,
and members of Christ ; be ashamed therefore to
think, speak, or do any thing unseemly, for God s
children and the members of Christ. 5 * Fox s Acts
and Monuments, p. 1177.

34?

CHAP. II.

On the Example of Christ.

As my mind hath been brought into a brotherly
feeling- with the poor, as to the things of this life,
who are under trials, in regard to getting a living,
in a way answerable to the purity of truth ; a labour
of heart hath attended me, that their way may not be
made difficult, through the love of money, in those
who are tried with plentiful estates ; but that they
with tenderness of heart may sympathize with
them.

It was the saying of our blessed Redeemer, " Ye
cannot serve God and Mammon/ There is a deep
feeling of the way of purity, a way in which the
wisdom of the world hath no part, but is opened by
the spirit of truth, and is ff called the way of holi
ness/ a way in which the traveller is employed in
watching unto prayer ; and the outward gain we
get in this journey is considered as a trust committed
to us, by HIM who formed and supports the world ;
and is the rightful director of the use and applica
tion of the product of it.

Now, except the mind be preserved chaste, there
is no safety for us ; but in an estrangement from
true resignation, the spirit of the world casts up a
way, in which gain is many times principally at
tended to, and in which there is a selfish application
of outward treasures.

348

How agreeable to the true harmony of society, is
that exhortation of the apostle; " Look not every
man on his own things, but every man also on the
things of others. Let this mind be in you which
was also in Christ Jesus. ".

A person in outward prosperity may have the
power of obtaining riches,, but the same mind being
in him which is in Christ Jesus, he may feel a ten
derness of heart towards those of low degree ; and
instead of setting himself above them, may look
upon it as an unmerited favour, that his way through
life is more easy than the way of many others ;
may improve every opportunity of leading forlh
out of those customs which have entangled the
family ; employ his time in looking into the wants
of the poor members, and hold forth such a perfect
cxample v of humiliation, that the pure witness may
be reached in many minds ; and the way opened
for a harmonious walking together.

Jesus Christ, in promoting the happiness of others,
was not deficient in looking for the helpless, who
lay in obscurity, nor did he save any thing to ren
der himself honourable amongst men, which might
have been of more use to the weak members in his
Father s family; of whose compassion towards us I
may now speak a little. He who was perfectly happy
in himself, moved with infinite love, "took not upon
him the nature of angels," but our imperfect nature,
and therein wrestled with the temptations which
attend us in this life ; and being the Son of HIM
who is greater than earthly princes, yet became a
companion to poor, sincere-hearted men ; and

349

though he gave the clearest evidence that divine
power attended him, yet the most unfavourable
constructions were framed by a self-righteous peo
ple ; those miracles represented as the effect of a
diabolical power, and endeavours used to render
him hateful, as having his mission from the prince
of darkness ; nor did their envy cease till they took
him like a criminal and brought him to trial.
Though some may affect to carry the appearance of
being unmoved at the apprehension of distress, our
dear Redeemer., who was perfectly sincere, having
the same human nature which we have, and feeling,
a little before he was apprehended, the weight of
that work upon him, for which he came into the
world, was Cf sorrowful, even unto death." Here the
human nature struggled to be excused from a cup
so bitter; but his prayers centered in resignation,
" Not my will, but thine be done/ In this conflict,
so great was his agony, that " sweat like drops of
blood fell from him to the ground."

Behold now, as foretold by the prophet, he is in
a judicial manner "numbered with the transgres
sors." Behold him, as some poor man, of no repu
tation, standing before the high priest and elders,
and before Herod and Pilate, where witnesses ap
pear against him, and he, mindful of the most gra
cious design of his coming, declineth to plead in his
own defence, f< but as a sheep that is dumb before
his shearer," so, under many accusations, revilings,
and buffetings, remained silent. And though he
signified to Peter that he had access to power suffi
cient to overthrow all their outward forces ; yet,

350

retaining a resignation to suffer for the sins of man
kind,, he exerted not that power, but permitted
them to go on in their malicious designs,, and pro
nounce him to be worthy of death, even him who
was perfect in goodness; thus "in his humiliation
his judgment was taken away/ and he, like some
vile criminal, led as a lamb to the slaughter." Un
der these heavy trials (though poor unstable Pilate
was convinced of his innocence, yet) the people
generally looked upon him as a deceiver, a blas
phemer, and the approaching punishment as a just
judgment upon him, " They esteemed him smitten
of God, and afflicted." So great had been the sur
prise of his disciples, at his being taken by armed
men, that they " forsook him and fled ;" thus they
hid their faces from him, he was despised, and by
their conduct it appeared as though " they esteemed
him not."

But contrary to that opinion, of his being smitten
of God and afflicted, it was for our sakes that "he
was put to grief; he was wounded for our trans
gressions ; he was bruised for our iniquities ;" and,
under the weight of them, manifesting the deepest
compassion for the instruments of his misery, la
boured as their advocate, and in the deeps of afflict
ion, with an unconquerable patience, cried out,
" Father forgive them, they know not what they
do!"

Now, this mind being in us, which was in Christ
Jesus, it removes from our hearts the desire of su
periority, worldly honour, or greatness ; a deep at
tention is felt to the divine counsellor, and an ardent

351

engagement to promote, as far as we may be ena
bled, the happiness of mankind universally. This
state, where every motion from a selfish spirit yield-
eth to pure love, I may, with gratitude to the Fa
ther of mercies, acknowledge, is often opened before
me as a pearl to dig after*; attended with a living
concern, that amongst the many nations and fami
lies on the earth, those who believe in the Messiah,
that c he was manifested to destroy the works of the
Devil," and thus to " take away the sins of the
world," may experience the will of our heavenly
Father, fc may be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Strong are the desires I often feel, that this holy
profession may remain unpolluted, and the believers
in Christ may so abide in the pure, inward, feeling
of his spirit, that the wisdom from above may shine
forth in their living, as a light by which others may
be instrumentally helped on their way, in the true
harmonious walking.

CHAP. III.

On Merchandizing.

WHERE the treasures of pure love are opened,
and we obediently follow him who is the light of life,
the mind becomes chaste ; and a care is felt, that
the unction from the holy one may be our leader in
every undertaking.

In being crucified to the world, broken off from

352

that friendship which is enmity with God, and dead
to the customs and fashions which have not their
foundation in the truth ; the way is prepared to
lowliness in outward living , and to a disentangle^
ment from those snares which attend the love of
money; and where the faithful friends of Christ are so
situated that merchandize appears to be their duty,
they feel a restraint from proceeding farther than
he owns their proceeding ; being convinced that
(C we are pot our own but are bought with a price,
lhat none of us may live to ourselves, but to him
who died for us." 2 Cor. v. 15. Thus they are
taught, not only to keep to a moderate advance and
uprightness in their dealings ; but to consider the
tendency of their proceeding; to do nothing which
they know would operate against the cause of uni
versal righteousness; and to keep continually in
view the spreading of the peaceable kingdom of
Christ amongst mankind.

The prophet Isaiah spake of the gathered church,
in the similitude of a city, where many being em
ployed were all preserved in purity ; " They shall
call them the holy people ; the redeemed of the
Lord, and thon shall be called sought out, a city not
forsaken." Ixiii. 10. And the apostle, after men
tioning the mystery of Christ s sufferings, exhorts,
<e Be ye holy in all manner of conversation/ 1 Pet.
i. 15. There is a conversation necessary in trade;
and there ,is a conversation so foreign from the
nature of Christ s kingdom, that it is represented in
the similitude of one man pushing another with a
warlike weapon ; (< There is that speaketh like the

353

piercings of a sword/ Prov. xii. 18. Now in all
our concerns it is necessary that the leading of the
spirit of Christ be humbly waited for and faithfully
followed, as the only means of being preserved
chaste as an holy people,, who (< in all things are
circumspect/ Exod. xxiii. 13., that nothing we do
may carry the appearance of approbation of the
works of wickedness,, make the unrighteous more at
ease in unrighteousness, or occasion the injuries
committed against the oppressed to be more lightly
looked over.

Where morality is kept to, and supported by the
inhabitants of a country, there is a certain reproach
attends those individuals amongst them, who mani
festly deviate therefrom. Thus, if a person of
good report, is charged with stealing goods out of
an open shop in the day time,, and, on a public trial,
found guilty, and the law in that case put in execu
tion, he therein sustains a loss of reputation ; but
if he be convicted a second and third time of the
like offence, his good name would cease amongst
such who knew these things. If his neighbour, re
puted an honest man, be charged with buying goods
of this thief, at a time when the purchaser knew
they were stolen, and on a public trial be found
guilty, this purchaser would meet with disesteem,
but if he persisted in buying stolen goods, knowing
them to be such, and was publicly convicted thereof
a second and third time, he would no longer be
considered as an honest man by those who knew
these things ; nor would it appear of good report,
to be found in his company, buying his traffic, till

z

sw

some evident tokens of sincere repentance appeared
in him. But where iniquity is committed openly.,
and the authors of it are not brought to justice, nor
put to shame,, their hands grow strong. Thus, the
general corruption of the Jews, shortly before their
state was broken up by the Chaldeans, is described
by their boldness in impiety ; for as their leaders
were connected together in wickedness, they
strengthened one another, and grew confident,
"Were they ashamed when they had committed
abominations ? nay, they were not at all ashamed,
neither could they blush;" Jer. vi. 15, on which
account the Lord thus expostulates with them,
fc What hath my beloved to do in my house, seeing
she hath wrought lewdness with many ? and the holy
flesh is passed from thee, when thou doest evil, then
thou rejoicest." Jer. xi. 15.

Now, the faithful friends of Christ, who hunger
and thirst after righteousness, and inwardly breathe
that his kingdom may come on earth as it is in
heaven, he teacheth them to be quick of understand
ing in his fear, and to be very attentive to the means
he may appoint for promoting pure righteousness
in the earth ; and, as shame is due to those whose
works manifestly operate against the gracious de
sign of his sufferings for us, a care lives on their
minds that no wrong customs, however supported,
may bias their judgments; but that they may hum
bly abide under the cross and be preserved in a
conduct which may not contribute to strengthen the
hands of the wicked in their wickedness, or to re
move shame from those to whom it is justly due.

355

The coming of that day is precious in which we ex
perience the truth of this expression, ff The Lord
our righteousness ;" Jer. xiii. 6, and feel him to be
"made. unto us wisdom and sanetifieation."

The example of a righteous man is often looked
at with attention. Where righteous men join in
business., their company gives encouragement to
others ; as one grain of incense deliberately of
fered to the prince of this world,, renders an offering
to God in that state unacceptable ; and from those
esteemed leaders of the people may be injurious to
the weak ; it requires deep humility of heart, to
follow him faithfully, who alone gives sound wis
dom and the spirit of true discerning ; and O how
necessary it is, to consider the weight of a holy pro
fession !

The conduct of some formerly, gave occasion of
complaint against them, "Thou hast defiled thy
sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by
the iniquity of thy traffic ;" Ezek. xxviii. 18; and
in several places it is charged against Israel that
they had polluted the holy name.

The prophet Isaiah represents inward sanctifica-
tion in the similitude of being purged from that
which is fuel for fire; and particularly describes
the outward fruits, brought forth by those who dwell
in this inward holiness ; " they walk righteously,
and speak uprightly/ By walking, he represents
the journey through life, as a righteous journey;
and "by speaking uprightly/ seems to point at
that which Moses appears to have had in view,
when he thus expressed himself, " Thou shalt not

350

follow a multitude to do evil, nor speak in a ease to
decline after manyto wrest judgment/ Exod. xxiii.2.
He goes on to show their firmness in equity ; re
presenting them as persons superior to all the arts
of getting money, which have riot righteousness for
their foundation ; " They despise the gain of op
pressions :" and further shows how careful they are
that no prospects of gain may induce them to be
come partial in judgment respecting an injury ;
ff They shake their hands from holding bribes."

Again, where any interest is so connected with
shedding blood, that the cry of innocent blood goes
also with it ; he points out their care to keep inno
cent blood from crying against them, in the simili
tude of a man stopping his ears to prevent a sound
from entering his head, " They stop their ears from
hearing blood ;" and where they know that wicked
ness is committed, he points out with care, that
they do not by an unguarded friendship with the
authors of it, appear like unconcerned lookers on,
but as people so deeply affected with sorrow, that
they cannot endure to stand by and behold it ; this
he represents in the similitude of a man ec shutting
his eyes from seeing evil."

" Who amongst us shall dwell with the devour
ing fire? Who amongst us shall dwell with ever
lasting burnings? He that walketh righteously
and speaketh uprightly. He that despiseth the gain
of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding
of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of
blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil."
Isaiah xxxiii. 14, 15.

357

He proceeds, in the spirit of prophecy, to show
how the faithful, being supported under tempta
tions, would be preserved from that defilement that
there is in the love of money ; that, as they who in
a reverent waiting on God, feel their strength re
newed, are said to cc mount upward ;" so, here, their
preservation from the snare of unrighteous gain is
represented in the likeness of a man, borne up
above all crafty, artful, means of getting the advan
tage of another, "He shall dwell on high"; and
points out the stability and firmness of their condi
tion, " His place of defence shall be the munition
of rocks ;" and that, under all the outward appear
ances of Joss, in denying himself of gainful profits,
for righteousness sake, yet through the care of Him
who provides for the sparrows, he should have a
supply answerable to his infinite wisdom, Cf Bread
shall be given him, his waters shall be sure/* And,
as our Saviour mentions the sight of God to be at
tainable by Cf the pure in heart/ so here the pro
phet pointed out, how, in true sanctification, the
understanding is opened, to behold the peaceable,
harmonious, nature of his kingdom, cc Thine eyes
shall see the king in his beauty ;" and that looking
beyond all the afflictions which attend the righte
ous, to " a habitation eternal in the heavens," they
with an eye divinely open shall behold the land
that is very far off.

"He shall dwell on high, his place of defence
shall be the munitions of rocks, bread shall be
given him, his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes
shall see the king in his beauty; they shall be-

358

hold the land that is very far off." Isaiah xxxiii.
16, 17.

I often remember, and to rne the subject is awful,
that the great judge of all the earth doeth that
which is right, and that He <( before whom the na
tions are as the drop of a bucket/ is " no respecter
of persons." Happy for them, who like the in
spired prophet, fc in the way of his judgments, wait
tor Him." Isaiah xxvi. 8.

When we feel Him to sit as a refiner with fire, and
know a resignedness wrought in us, to that which
He appoints for us, his blessing in a very low estate,
is found to be more precious than much outward
treasure in those ways of life, where the leadings of
his spirit are not followed.

The prophet, in a sight of a divine work amongst
many people, declared in the name of the Lord,
" 1 will gather all nations and tongues, and they
shall come and see my glory." Isaiah Ixvi. 18.
And again, " from the rising of the sun to the going
down of the same, my name shall be great amongst
the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be
offered to my name, and a pure offering." Malachi
i. 11.

Behold here how the prophets had an inward
sense of the spreading of the kingdom of Christ ;
and how He was spoken of as one who should
C( take the heathen for his inheritance, and the utter
most parts of the earth for his possession." Psal.
ii. 8. That " He was given for a light to the Gen
tiles ; and for salvation to the ends of the earth,"
Isaiah xlix, 6,

359

When we meditate on this divine work, as a work
of ages : a work which the prophets felt long- before
Christ appeared visibly on earth,, and remember the
bitter agonies he endured when he <c poured out his
soul unto death/ that the heathen nations as well
as others, might come to the knowledge of the truth
and be saved ; When we contemplate on this
marvellous work,, as that which "the angels desire
to look into/ 1 Pet. i. 12; and behold people
amongst whom this light hath eminently broken
forth, and who have received many favours from the
bountiful hand of our heavenly Father ; not only
indifferent with respect to publishing the glad ti
dings amongst the Gentiles, as yet sitting in dark
ness and entangled with many superstitions ; but
aspiring after wealth and worldly honours, take hold
of means to obtain their ends, tending to stir up
wrath and indignation and to beget an abhorrence
in them to the name of Christianity ; When these
things are weightily attended to, how mournful is
the subject!

It is worthy of remembrance, that people in dif
ferent ages, deeply baptized into the nature of that
work for which Christ suffered, have joyfully offered
up their liberty and lives for the promoting of it in
the earth.

Polycarp, who was reputed a disciple of the apos
tle John, having attained to great age, was at length
sentenced to die for his religion ; and being brought
to the tire, prayed nearly as follows, " Thou God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom I
have received the knowledge of thee! O God of

360

the angels and powers., and of every living creature,,
and of all sorts of just men which live in thy pre
sence ; I thank thee that thou hast graciously
vouchsafed this day and this hour to allot me a
portion among the number of martyrs, among the
people of Christ,, unto the resurrection of everlast
ing life ; among whom I shall be received in thy
sight, this day, as a fruitful and acceptable sacrifice;
wherefore for all this, I praise thee, I bless thee,
I glorify thee, through the everlasting High-priest,
Jesus Christ, thy well beloved son ; to whom, with
thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory, world with
out end. Amen/

Bishop Latimer, when sentence of death by fire,
was pronounced against him, on account of his
firmness in the cause of religion, said, t( I thank
God most heartily ! that he hath prolonged my life
to this end ; that I may, in this case, glorify him by
this kind of death/ Fox s Acts and Mori. 936.

William Dewsbury, who had suffered much for
his religion, in his last sickness, encouraging his
friends to faithfulness, made mention, like good old
Jacob, of the loving kindness of God to him in the
course of his life, and that through the power of
divine love, he, for Christ s sake, had joy fully entered
prisons, See introduction to his works.

I mention these, as a few examples, out of many,
of the powerful operation of the spirit of Christ,
where people are fully devoted to it, and of the
ardent longings in their minds for the spreading of
his kingdom amongst mankind. Now to those in
the present age, who truly know Christ, and feel

361

the nature of his peaceable government, opened in
their understandings, how loud is that call where
with we are called to faithfulness; that in follow
ing this pure light of life, " we as workers together
with him/ may labour in that great work for which
he was offered as a sacrifice on the cross ; and that
his peaceable doctrines may shine through us in
their real harmony, at a time when the name of
Christianity is become hateful to many of the
heathens.

When Gehazi had obtained treasures, which the
prophet, under divine direction, had refused, and
was returned from the business ; the prophet trou
bled at his conduct, queried if it was a time thus to
prepare for a specious living. " Is it a time to
receive money and garments, men servants and
maid servants? the leprosy therefore of Naaman
shall cleave to thee and to thy seed for ever." 2
Kings v. 26. And O that we may lay to heart the
condition of the present time ; and humbly follow
his counsel, who alone is able to prepare the way
for a true harmonious walking amongst mankind !

362

CHAP. IV.

On Divine Admonitions.

SUCH are the perfections of our heavenly Father,
that in all the dispensations of his providence, it is our
duty, f{ in every thing, to give thanks/ 5 Though from
the first settlement of this part of America, he hath
not extended his judgments to the degree of famine,
yet worms at times have come forth beyond number
ing, and laid waste fields of grain and grass, where
they have appeared; another kind, in great multi
tudes, working out of sight, in grass ground, have so
eaten the roots, that the surface being loosened from
the soil beneath, might be taken off in great sheets.

These kinds of devouring creatures appearing
seldom, and coming in such multitudes, their gene
ration appears different from most other reptiles,
and by the prophet were called (f God s army sent
amongst the people." Joel ii. 25.

There have been tempests of hail, which have
very much destroyed the grain where they ex
tended. Through long drought in summer, grain
in some places hath been less than half the usual
quantity ;* and in the continuance thereof, I have
beheld with attention, from week to week, how
dry ness from the top of the earth hath extended
deeper and deeper, while the corn and plants have

* When crops fail, I often feel a tender care that the case of
poor tenants may be mercifully considered.

263

languished ; and, with reverence, rny mind hath
been turned toward HIM,, who being perfect in
goodness, in wisdom, and power, doeth all things
right. And after long drought, when the sky hath
grown dark with a collection of matter, and clouds
like lakes of water hung over our heads, from
whence the thirsty land hath been soaked ; I have
at times, with awfulness, beheld the vehement
operation of lightning, made sometimes to accom
pany these blessings, as a messenger from HIM who
created all things, to remind us of our duty in a
right use of those benefits, and give striking ad
monitions, that we do riot misapply those gifts, in
which an Almighty power is exerted, in bestowing
them upon us.

When I have considered that many of our fellow-
creatures suffer much in some places, for want of
the necessaries of life, whilst those who rule over
them are too much given to luxury, and divers
vanities ; and behold the apparent deviation from
pure wisdom amongst us, in the use of the outward
gifts of God ; those marks of famine have appeared
like humbling admonitions from Him, that we might
be instructed by gentle chastisements, and might
seriously consider our ways ; remembering that the
outward supply of life is a gift from our heavenly
Father, and that we should no more venture to
use, or apply his gifts, in a way contrary to pure
wisdom.

Should we continue to reject those merciful ad
monitions, and use his gifts at home, contrary to
the gracious design of the giver, or send them abroad

in a way of trade, which the spirit of truth doth not
lead into ; and should He, whose eyes are upon
all our ways., extend his chastisements so far as to
reduce us to much greater distress than hath yet
been felt by these provinces., with what sorrow of
heart might we meditate on that subject, " Hast
thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou
hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when He led thee
by the way ? Thine own wickedness shall correct
thee,, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee ; know
therefore and see,, that it is an evil thing and bitter,
that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that
my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts."
Jer. ii. 1719.

My mind hath often been affected with sorrow,
in beholding a wrong application of the gifts of our
heavenly Father; and those expressions concerning
the defilement of the earth have been opened to my
understanding, " The earth was corrupt before God,
and the earth was filled with violence/ Gen.vi. 1 1 .
Again, " The earth also is defiled under the inha
bitants thereof, because they have broken the
everlasting covenant." Isaiah xxiv. 5.

The earth being the work of a divine power,
may not, as such, be accounted unclean ; but when
violence is committed thereon, and the channel of
righteousness so obstructed, that " in our skirts are
found the blood of the souls of poor innocents ;
not by a secret search, but upon all these."
Jerem. ii. 34.* When blood, shed unrighteously,

* See a caution and warning to Great Britain and her colonies,
page 31.

365

remains unatoned for, and the inhabitants are not
effectually purged from it, when they do not wash
their hands in innocency, as was figured in the law,
in the case of one being found slain ; but seek for
gain arising from scenes of violence and oppression,
here the land is polluted with blood. Deut.
xxi. 6.

Moreover, when the earth is planted and tilled,
and the fruits brought forth are applied to support
unrighteous purposes ; here the gracious design of
infinite goodness, in these his gifts, being perverted,
the earth is defiled ; and the complaint formerly
uttered becomes applicable : <f Thou hast made me
to serve with thy sins ; thou hast wearied me with
thine iniquities/ Isaiah xliii. 24.

REMARKS

ON

SUNDRY SUBJECTS.

[First printed in London, 1773.]

CHAP. I.

On loving our neighbours as ourselves.

WHEN we love the Lord with all our hearts, and
his creatures in his love,, we are then preserved in
tenderness both toward mankind and the animal
creation ; but if another spirit gets room in our
minds, and we follow it in our proceedings, we are
then in the way of disordering the affairs of society.
People may have no intention to oppress, yet by
entering on expensive ways of life, their minds may
be so entangled therein, and so engaged to support
expensive customs, as to be estranged from the pure,
sympathizing spirit.

As I have travelled in England, I have had a
tender feeling of the condition of poor people, some
of whom, though honest and industrious, have
nothing to spare toward paying for the schooling of
their children.

There is a proportion between labour and the
necessaries of life, and in true brotherly love the
mind is open to feel after the necessities of the poor.

367

Amongst the poor there are some that are weak
through age,, and others of a weakly nature, who
pass through straits in very private life, without
asking relief from the public.

Such who are strong and healthy may do that
business,, which to the weakly may be oppressive ;
and in performing that in a day which is esteemed
a day s labour, by weakly persons in the field and
in the shops, and by weakly women who spin and
knit in the manufactories, they often pass through
weariness; arid many sighs I believe are uttered
in secret, unheard by some who might ease their
burdens.

Labour, in the right medium, is healthy ; but in
too much of it there is a painful weariness : and
the hardships of the poor are sometimes increased
through want of more agreeable nourishment, more
plentiful fuel for the fire, and warmer clothing in
the winter, than their wages will answer.

When I have beheld plenty in some houses/ to a
degree of luxury; the condition of poor children,
brought up without learning ; and the condition of
the weakly and aged, who strive to live by their
labour ; have often revived in my mind, as cases of
which some who live in fuluess need to be put in
remembrance.

There are few, if any, could behold their fellow-
creatures lie long in distress, and forbear to help
them, when they could do it without any inconve
nience; but customs requiring much labour to sup
port them, do often lie heavy on the poor, while
they who live in these customs are so entangled in

368

a multitude of unnecessary concerns, that they
think but little of the hardships which the poor
people go through.

If a man, successful in business, expends part of
his income in things of no real use, while the poor
employed by him pass through great difficulties in
getting the necessaries of life, this requires his
serious attention.

If several principal men in business unite in set
ting the wages of those who work for hire, and
therein have regard to a profit to themselves answer
able to unnecessary expense in their families, while
the wages of the others on a moderate industry will
not afford a comfortable living for their families,
and a proper education for their children ; this is
like laying a temptation in the way of some to strive
for a place higher than they are in, when they have
not stock sufficient for it.

Now I feel a concern in the spring of pure love,
that all who have plenty of outward substance, may
example others in the right use of things ; may
carefully look into the condition of poor people,
aud beware of exacting on them with regard to
their wages.

While hired labourers, by moderate industry,
through the divine blessing, may live comfortably,
raise up families, and give them suitable education,
it appears reasonable for them to be content with
their wages.

If they who have plenty, love their fellow-
creatures in that love which is divine, and in all
their proceedings have an equal regard to the good

369

of mankind universally, their place in society is a
place of care,, an office requiring attention; and the
more we possess, the greater is our trust, and with
an increase of treasure, an increase of care becomes
necessary.

When our will is subject to the will of God ;
and in relation to the things of this world, we have
nothing in view but a comfortable living equally
with the rest of our fellow-creatures, then outward
treasures are no farther desirable than as we feel a
gift in our minds equal to the trust, and strength
to act as dutiful children in his service, who hath
formed all mankind, and appointed a subsistence
for us in this world.

A desire of treasures on any other motive, appears
to be against that command of our blessed Saviour,
cf Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.*
Matt. vi. 19.

He forbids not laying up in the summer against
the wants of winter ; nor doth He teach us to be
slothful in that which properly relates to our being
in this world ; but in this prohibition He puts in
yourselves: (C Lay not up for yourselves treasures
here on earth."

Now, in the pure light, this language is under
stood, for in the love of Christ there is no respect
of persons ; and while we abide in his love, we live
not to ourselves, but to Him who died for us.
And as we are thus united in spirit to Christ, we
are engaged to labour in promoting that work in
the earth for which He suffered.

In this state of mind our desires are, that every

2A

370

honest member in society may have a portion of
treasure, and share of trust, answerable to that gift,
with which our heavenly Father hath gifted us.

In great treasure, there is a great trust.

A great trust requireth great care.

But the laborious mind wants rest.

A pious man is content to do a share of business
in society, answerable to the gifts with which he is
endowed, while the channels of business are free
from unrighteousness, but is careful lest at any time
his heart be overcharged.

In the harmonious spirit of society, "Christ is all
in all." Col. iii. 11.

Here it is that te old things are past away, all
things are new, all things are of God." 2 Cor.
v. 17, 18. and the desire for outward riches is at an
end.

They of low degree, who have small gifts, enjoy
their help who have large gifts ; those with their
small gifts, have a small degree of care., while these
with their large gifts, have a large degree of care :
and thus to abide in the love of Christ, and enjoy a
comfortable living in this world, is all that is aimed
at by those members in society, to whom Christ is
made wisdom and righteousness.

But when they who have much treasure, are not
faithful stewards of the gifts of God, great difficul
ties attend it.

Now this matter hath deeply affected my mind.
The Lord, through merciful chastisements, hath
given me a feeling of that love, in which the har
mony of society standeth, and a sight of the growth

371

of that seed which bringbth forth wars and great ca
lamities in the world ; and a labour attends me to
open it to others.

Now to act with, integrity, according to that
strength of mind and body with which our Creator
hath endowed each of us, appears necessary for all;
and he who thus stands in the lowest station, ap
pears to be entitled to as comfortable and conveni
ent a living, as he whose gifts of mind are greater,
and whose cares are more extensive.

If some endowed with strong understandings as
men, abide not in the harmonious state, in which
we " love our neighbours as ourselves/ but walk in
that spirit in which the children of this world are
wise in their generation ; these by the strength of
contrivance may sometimes gather great treasure,
but the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God ; and if we gather treasures in worldly wis
dom, we lay up "treasures for ourselves;" and
great treasures managed in any other spirit than
the spirit of truth, disorder the affairs of society ;
for hereby the good gifts of God in this outward
creation are turned into the channels of worldly
honour, and frequently applied to support luxury,
while the wages of poor labourers are such, that
with moderate industry and frugality they may not
live comfortably, raise up families, and give them
suitable education, but through the straitness of
their condition, are often drawn on to labour under
weariness, to toil through hardships themselves,
and frequently to oppress those useful animals with
which w r e are entrusted.

312

Prom age to age, throughout all ages, divine love
is that alone, in which dominion has been, is, and
will be rightly conducted.

In this, the endowments of men are so employed,
that the friend and the governor are united in one,
and oppressive customs come to an end.

Riches in the hands of individuals in society, are
attended with some degree of power ; and so far as
power is put forth separate from pure love, so far
the government of the Prince of peace is interrupt
ed ; and as we know not that our children after us
will dwell in that state in which power is rightly
applied, to lay up riches for them appears to be
against the nature of his government.

The earth, through the labour of men under the
blessing of Him who formed it, yieldeth a supply for
the inhabitants from generation to generation, and
they who walk in the pure light, their minds are pre
pared to taste and relish not only those blessings
which are spiritual, but also feel a sweetness and
satisfaction in a right use of the good gifts of God
in the visible creation.

Here we see that man s happiness stands not in
great possessions, but in a heart devoted to follow
Christ, in that use of things, where customs con
trary to universal love have no power over us.

In this state, our hearts are prepared to trust in
God, and our desires for our children and posterity
are, that they, with the rest of mankind, in ages to
come, may be of that number, of whom He hath
said, " I will be a father to them, and they shall be
my sons and daughters. " 2 Cor. vi. IS.

373

When wages in a fruitful land bear so small a
proportion to the necessaries of life, that poor ho
nest people who have families,, cannot, by a mode
rate industry,, attain to a comfortable living , and give
their children sufficient learning, but must either
labour to a degree of oppression, or else omit that
which appears to be a duty: .While this is the case
with the poor,, there is an inclination in the minds
of most people, to prepare, at least so much trea
sure for their children, that they with care and
moderate industry may live free from these hard
ships which the poor pass through.

Now this subject requireth our serious consider
ation. To labour that our children may be put in a
way to live comfortably, appears in itself to be a
duty, so long as these our labours are consistent
with universal righteousness; but if, in striving to
shun poverty, we do not walk in that state where
"Christ is our life/ then we wander: "He that
hath the Son, hath life." 1 John v. 12. "This life
is the light of men/ John i. 4. If we walk not
in this light, we walk in darkness, and "he that
walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he
goeth." John xii. 35.

To keep to right means in labouring to attain a
right end is necessary. If, in striving to shun
poverty, we strive only in that state, where Christ is
the light of our life, our labours will stand in the
true harmony of society ; but, if people are confident
that the end aimed at is good, and in this confi
dence, pursue it so eagerly, as not to Wait for the

374

Spirit of truth to lead them, then they come to
loss. Christ is given to be a leader and com
mander of the people. Isaiah Iv. 4. Again,,
"The Lord shall guide thee continually/ Isaiah
Iviii. lfi.ll Again; " Lord thou wilt ordain peace for
us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us."
Isaiah xxvi. 12. <f In the Lordjhave we righteous
ness and strength." Isaiah xlv. 24.

In this state, our minds are preserved watchful,
in following the leadings of his spirit in all our pro
ceedings in this world, and a care is felt for a refor
mation in general ; that our own posterity, with
the rest of mankind, in succeeding ages, may not be
entangled by oppressive customs, transmitted to
them through our hands. But if people, in the nar
rowness of natural love, are afraid that their chil
dren will be oppressed by the rich ; and, through
an eager desire to get treasures, depart from the
pure leadings of truth in one case, though it may
seem to be a small matter, yet the mind, even in
that small matter, may be emboldened to continue
in a way of proceeding, without waiting for the
divine Leader.

Thus people may grow expert in business, wise
in the wisdom of this world, retain a fair reputation
amongst men, and yet, being strangers to the voice
of Christ, the safe leader of his flock, the treasures
thus gotten, may be like snares to the feet of their
posterity.

Now, to keep faithful to the pure counsellor,
and, under trying circumstances, suffer adversity
for righteousness sake, in this there is a reward.

375

If we, being poor, are hardly dealt with by those
who are rich., and under this difficulty,, are frugal
and industrious, and in true humility open our
case to them who oppress us, this may reach the
pure witness in their minds ; and though we should
remain under difficulties as to the outward,, yet if
we abide in the love of Christ, all will work for our
good.

When we feel what it is to suffer in the true suf
fering state, then we experience the truth of those
expressions, that (c as the sufferings of Christ abound
in us, so our consolation aboundeth by Christ/ 2
Cor. i. 5.

But if poor people who are hardly dealt with, do
not attain to the true suffering state, do not labour
in true love with those who deal hardly with them,
but envy their outward greatness, murmur in their
hearts because of their own poverty, and strive iri
the wisdom of this world to get riches for themselves
and their children ; this is like wandering in the
dark.

IV we, who are of a middle station between riches
and poverty, are affected at times with the oppres
sions of the poor, and feel a tender regard for our
posterity after us ; O how necessary is it that we
wait for the pure counsel of truth !

Many have seen the hardships of the poor, and
feel an eager desire that their children may be put
in a way to escape these hardships ; but how few
have continued in that pure love which openeth our
under stand ings to proceed rightly under these diffi
culties !

376

How few have faithfully followed that holy
Leader who prepares his people to labour for the
restoration of true harmony amongst our fellow-
creatures !

In the pure gospel spirit, ff we walk by faith and
not by sight/ 2 Cor. v. 7.

In the obedience of faith we die to the narrow
ness of self-love,, and our life being hid with Christ
in God, our hearts are enlarged toward mankind
Universally; but in departing from the true light
of life, many in striving to get treasures have sturri-
bled upon the dark mountains.

Now that purity of life which proceeds from
faithfulness in following the spirit of truth, that state
where our minds are devoted to serve God, and all
our wants are bounded by his wisdorn ; this habita
tion has often been opened before me, as a place of
retirement for t|ie children of the light, where we
may stand separated from that which disor^ereth
and confuse th (he affairs of society,, and where we
may have a testimony of our innocence in the hearts
of those who behold us.

Through departing from the truth as it is in Jesus,
through introducing ways of life attended with un
necessary expenses, many wants have arisen, the
minds of people have been employed in studying to
get wealth, and in this pursuit some departing from
equity, have retained a profession of religion ; others
Jiave looked at their example, and thereby been
strengthened to proceed further in the same way :
thus many have encouraged the trade of taking
men from Africa, and selling them as slaves.

377

It hath been computed that near one hundred
thousand negroes have, of late years,, been taken
annually from that coast, by ships employed in the
English trade.

As I have travelled on religious visits in some
parts of America, I have seen many of these people
under the command of overseers, in a painful servi
tude.

I have beheld them as Gentiles, under people
professing Christianity ; not only kept ignorant of
the Holy Scriptures, but under great provocations
to wrath ; of whom it may truly be said, cc They
that rule over them make them to howl/ Isaiah lii.
5. and the Holy Name is abundantly blasphemed.
Where children are taught to read the sacred
writings, while young, and exampled in meek
ness and humility, it is often helpful to them, nor is
this any more than a debt due from us to a succeed
ing age.

But, where youth are pinched for want of the
necessaries of life, forced to labour hard under the
harsh rebukes of rigorous overseers, and many
times endure unmerciful whippings : in such an
education, how great are the disadvantages they
He under! And how forcibly do these things work
against the increase of the government of the Prince
of peace !

Humphrey Smith, in his works, p. 125, speaking
of the tender feelings of the love of God in his
heart when he was a child, said, " By the violent
wrathful nature that ruled in others, was my quiet*

378

ness disturbed, and anger begotten in me toward
them, yet that of God in me was not wholly over
come, but his love was felt in my heart, and great
was my grief when the earthly-rnindedness and
wrathful nature so provoked me, that I was estrang
ed from it.

" And this I write as a warning to parents and
others, that, in the fear of the living God, you may
train up the youth, and may riot be a means of
bringing them into such alienation."

Many are the vanities and luxuries of the present
age, and in labouring to support a way of living
conformable to the present world, the departure
from that wisdom that is pure and peaceable, hath
been great.

Under the sense of a deep revolt, and an over
flowing stream of unrighteousness, my life has been
often a life of mourning, and tender desires are
raised in me;, that the nature of this practice may
be laid to heart.

I have read some books written by people who
were acquainted with the manner of getting slaves
in Africa.

I have had verbal relations of this nature from se
veral negroes brought from Africa, who have learned
to talk English.

I have sundry times heard Englishmen speak on
this subject, who have been in Africa on this busi
ness ; and from all these accounts it appears evident
that great violence is committed, and much blood
shed in Africa in getting slaves.

379

When three or four hundred slaves are put in the
hold of a vessel in a hot climate, their breathing 1
soon affects the air. Were that number of free
people to go passengers with all things proper for
their voyage,, there would inconvenience arise from
their number ; but slaves are taken by violence, and
frequently endeavour to kill the white people, that
they may return to their native land. Hence they
are frequently kept under such a sort of confinement,
by means of which a scent ariseth in the hold of a
ship, and distempers often break out amongst them,
of which many die. Of this tainted air in the hold
of ships freighted with slaves, 1 have had several
accounts, some in print, and some verbal, and all
agree that the scent is grievous. When these peo
ple are sold in America, and in the islands, they are
made to labour in a manner more servile and con
stant, than that which they were used to at home ;
thus, with grief, with different diet from what has
been common with them, and with hard labour, some
thousands are computed to die every year, in what
is called the seasoning.

Thus it appears evident, that great numbers of
these people are brought every year to an untimely
end ; many of them being such as never injured
us.

Where the innocent suffer under hard-hearted
men, even unto death, and the channels of equity
are so obstructed, that the cause of the sufferers is
not judged in righteousness, "the land is polluted
with blood." Numb. xxxv. 33.

380

Where blood hath been shed unrighteously., and
remains unatoned for, the cry thereof is very
piercing.

Under the humbling dispensations of divine Pro
vidence, this cry hath deeply affected my heart, and
I feel a concern to open, as I may be enabled,, that
which lieth heavy on my mind.

When fc the iniquity of the house of Israel and of
Judah was exceeding great., when the land was
defiled with blood, and the city full of perverse-
ness."

Ezek. ix. 9. " Some were found sighing and
crying for the abominations of the times/ Ezek.
ix. 4. and such as live under a right feeling of
our condition as a nation, these, I trust, will be
sensible that the Lord at this day doth call to
mourning, though many are ignorant of it. So
powerful are bad customs when they become gene
ral, that people growing bold through the examples
one of another, have often been unmoved at the
most serious warnings.

Through abiding in the love of Christ, we feel a
tenderness in our hearts towards our fellow-crea
tures, entangled in oppressive customs ; and a con
cern so to walk, that our conduct may not be a
means of strengthening them in error.

It was the command of the Lord, through Moses,
ff Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart :
thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and
not suffer sin upon him." Lev. xix. 17.

Again ; (t Keep thee far from a false matter ; and

381

the innocent and righteous slay thou not." Exou 1 .

xxiii. 7.

The prophet Isaiah mentions oppression as that
\vhich the true church, in time of outward quiet,
should not only be clear of, but should be far from
it, ff Thou shalt be far from oppression/ Isaiah
liv. 14. Now these words, far from, appear to have
an extensive meaning, and to convey instruction in
regard to that of which Solomon speaks, "Though
hand join in hand, Ihe wicked shall not go unpu
nished/ Prov. xvi. 5.

It was a complaint against one of old, " When
thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with
him." Psal. 1. 18.

The prophet Jeremiah represents the degrees of
preparation toward idolatrous sacrifice, in the simi
litude of a work carried on by children, men and
women. " The children gather wood, and the fathers
kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough
to make cakes to the queen of heaven/* Jer.
vii. 18.

It was a complaint of the Lord against Israel,
through his prophet Ezekiel, that " they strength
ened the hands of the wicked, and made the heart
of the righteous sad." Ezek. xiii. 22.

Some works of iniquity carried on by the people
were represented by the prophet Hosea, in the
similitude of ploughing, reaping, and eating the
fruit : " Ye have ploughed wickedness, reaped
iniquity, eaten the fruit of lies, because thou didst
trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty
men." Hosea x. 13.

382

Our blessed Saviour, speaking of the people of
the old world, said, C( They did eat, they drank,
they married wives, they were given in marriage,
until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and
the flood came and destroyed them all." Luke
xvii. 27.

The like he spake concerning the people of
Sodom, who are also represented by the prophet as
haughty, luxurious, and oppressive : ({ This was
the iniquity of Sodorn : pride, fulness of bread, and
abundance of idleness was in her, and in her daugh
ters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the
poor and needy/ Ezek. xvi. 49.

Now, in a revolt so deep as this, when much
blood has been shed unrighteously in carrying on
the slave-trade, and in supporting the practice of
keeping slaves, which at this day is unatoned for,
and crieth from the earth and from the seas against
the oppressor !

While this practice is continued, and under a
great load of guilt, there is more unrighteousness
committed, the state of things is very moving !

There is a love which stands in nature, and a
parent beholding his child in misery, hath a feeling
of the affliction ; but in divine love, the heart is
enlarged towards mankind universally, and pre
pared to sympathize with strangers, though in the
lowest stations in life.

Of this the prophet appears to have had a feel
ing, when he said, " Have we not all one Father?
Hath not one God created us ? Why do we deal
treacherously every man against his brother, by

383

profaning the covenant of our fathers?" Mai. ii.
10.

He who of old heard the groans of the children
of Israel., under the hard task-masters in Egypt, I
trust, hath looked down from his holy habitation
on the miseries of these deeply oppressed people.
Many lives have been shortened through extreme
oppression, while they laboured to support luxury
and worldly greatness ; and though many people
in outward prosperity may think little of these
things, yet the gracious Creator hath regard to the
cries of the innocent, however unnoticed by men.

The Lord, in the riches of his goodness, is lead
ing some into the feeling of the condition of this
people, who cannot rest without labouring as their
advocates ; of which, in some measure, I have had
experience, for, in the movings of his love in my
heart, these poor sufferers have been brought near
to me.

The unoffending, aged, and infirm, made to labour
too hard, kept on a diet less comfortable than their
weak state required, and exposed to great diffi
culties under hard-hearted men, to whose sufferings
I have often been a witness, and under the heart-
melting power of divine love, their misery hath felt
to me like the misery of my parents.

Innocent youth, taken by violence from their
native land, from their friends and acquaintance ;
put on board ships with hearts laden with sorrow;
exposed to great hardships at sea ; placed under
people, where their lives have been attended with
great provocation to anger and revenge.

384

With the condition of these youth rny mind hath
often been affected, as with the afflictions of my
children ; and,, in a feeling- of the misery of these
people, and of that great offence which is ministered
to them, my tears have been often poured out
before the Lord.

That holy Spirit which affected my heart when I
was a youth, I trust, is often felt by the negroes
in their native land, inclining their minds to that,
which is righteous ; and had the professed follow
ers of Christ, in all their conduct toward them,
manifested a disposition answerable to the pure
principle in their hearts, how might the holy
Name have been honoured amongst the Gentiles,
and how might we have rejoiced in the fulfilling
of that prophecy, fc I the Lord love judgment, I
hate robbery for burnt-offering, and I will direct
their work in truth, and make an everlasting cove
nant with them. Their seed shall be known among
the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people:
all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they
are the seed which the Lord hath blessed." Isaiah
Ixi. 8, 9.

But, in the present state of things, how contrary
is this practice to that meek spirit, in which our
Saviour laid down his life for us, that all the ends
of the earth might know salvation in his name!

How are the sufferings of our blessed Redeemer
set at nought, and his name blasphemed amongst
the Gentiles, through the unrighteous proceedings
of his professed followers !

My mind hath often been affected, even from the

385

days of my youth,, under a sense of that marvellous
work,, for which God, in infinite goodness, sent his
Son into the world.

The opening of that spring of living waters,
which the true believers in Christ experience, by
which they are redeemed from pride and covetous-
ness, and brought into a state of meekness, where
their hearts are enlarged in true love toward their
fellow-creatures universally ; this work to me has
been precious, and the spreading of the knowledge
of the truth amongst the Gentiles been very desira-
able. And the professed followers of Christ joining
in customs evidently unrighteous, which manifestly
tend to stir up wrath, and increase wars and desola
tions, hath often covered my mind with sorrow.

If we bring this matter home, and, as Job pro
posed to his friends, ec Put our soul in their souls
stead ;" Job xvi. 4, If we consider ourselves and
our children as exposed to the hardships which
these people lie under, in supporting an imaginary
greatness ; did we in such case behold an increase
of luxury and superfluity amongst our oppressors,
and therewith felt an increase of the weight of our
burdens, and expected our posterity to groan under
oppression after us : under all this misery, had we
none ta plead our cause, nor any hope of relief from
man, how would our cries ascend to the God of
the spirits of all flesh, who judgeth the world in
righteousness, and, in his own time, is a refuge f<M*
the oppressed ?

If they who thus afflicted us, continued to la]j^

386

claim to religion, and were assisted in their business
by others, esteemed pious people, who, through a
friendship with them, strengthened their hands in
tyranny.

In such a state, when we are hunger-bitten, and
could not have sufficient nourishment, but saw them
in fulness pleasing their taste with things fetched
from afar :

When we were wearied with labour, denied the
liberty to rest, and saw them spending their time at
ease : when garments answerable to our necessi
ties were denied us, while we saw them clothed in
that which was costly and delicate :

Under such affliction, how would these painful
feelings rise up as witnesses against their pretended
devotion ? And if the name of their religion was
mentioned in our hearing, how would it sound in
our ears like a word which signified self-exaltation,
and hardness of heart?

When a trade is carried on, productive of much
misery, and they who suffer by it, are some thou
sand miles off, the danger is the greater, of not
laying their sufferings to heart.

In procuring slaves on the coast of Africa, many
children are stolen privately ; wars also are encou
raged amongst the negroes, but ail is at a great
distance.

Many groans arise from dying men which we
hear not.

Many cries are uttered by widows and fatherless
children, which reach not our ears.

387

Many cheeks are wet with tears, and faces sad
with unutterable grief, which we .see not.

Cruel tyranny is encouraged. The hands of
robbers are strengthened, and thousands reduced
to the most abject slavery, who never injured us.

Were we, for the term of one year only, to be
eye-witnesses to what passeth in getting these
slaves :

Were the blood that is there shed, to be sprinkled
on our garments :

Were the poor captives, bound with thongs,
heavy laden with elephants teeth, to pass before
our eyes on their way to the sea :

Were their bitter lamentations, day after day, to
ring in our ears, and their mournful cries in the
night to hinder us from sleeping :

Were we to hear the sound of the tumult, when
the slaves on board the ships attempt to kill the
English, and behold the issue of those bloody con
flicts :

What pious man could be a witness to these
things, and see a trade carried on in this manner,
without being deeply affected with sorrow ?

388

L. v . . " . . - \

CHAP, II.

On Trading in Superfluities.

I HAVE felt great distress of mind since I came on
this island, on account of the members of our so
ciety being mixed with the world in various sorts of
business and traffic, carried on in impure channels.
Great is the trade to Africa for slaves; and in load
ing these ships abundance of people are employed
in the manufactories.

Friends, in early time, refused, on a religious
principle, to make or trade in superfluities, of which
we have many large testimonies on record ; but, for
want of faithfulness, some gave way, even some
whose examples were of note in society ; and from
thence, others took more liberty. Members of our
society worked in superfluities, and bought and sold
them, and thus dimness of sight came over many.
At length, friends got into the use of some super
fluities in dress, and in the furniture of their houses,
and this hath spread from less to more, till super
fluity of some kinds is common amongst us.

In this declining state, many look at the example
one of another, and too much neglect the pure
feeling of truth, Of late years, a deep exercise
hath attended my mind, that friends may dig deep,
may carefully cast forth the loose matter, and get
down to the rock, the sure foundation, and there
hearken to that divine voice which gives a clear and
certain sound.

389

And I have felt, in that which doth not deceive,
that if friends who have known the truth, keep in
that tenderness of heart, where all views of outward
gain are given up, and their trust is only on the
Lord, He will graciously lead some to be patterns
of deep self-denial, in things relating to trade, and
handicraft labour : arid that some, who have plenty
of the treasures of this world, will example in a
plain frugal life, and pay wages to such whom they
may hire, more liberally than is now customary in
some places.

The prophet, speaking of the true church, said,
fc Thy people also shall be all righteous."

Of the depth of this divine work, several have
spoken :

John Gratton, in his journal, p. 45, said, " The
Lord is my portion, I shall not want. He hath
wrought all my works in rne. I am nothing, but
what I am in Him."

Gilbert Latey, through the powerful operations
of the spirit of Christ in his soul, was brought to
that depth of self-denial, that he could not join with
that proud spirit in other people, which inclined
them to want vanities and superfluities. This
friend was often amongst the chief rulers of the
nation in times of persecution, and it appears by
the testimony of friends, that his dwelling was so
evidently in the pure life of truth, that, in his visits
to those great men, he found a place in their minds;
and, that king James the Second, in the times of
his troubles, made particular mention, in a very
respectful manner, of what Gilbert once said to him.

390

The said Gilbert found a concern to write an
epistle, in which are these expressions : " Fear the
Lord., ye men of all sorts, trades, and callings, and
leave off all the evil that is in them, for the Lord is
grieved with all the evils used in your employments
which you are exercised in."

" It is even a grief to see how you are servants
to sin, and instruments of Satan." See his works,
p. 42, &c.

George Fox, in an epistle, writes thus : Friends,
stand in the eternal power of God, witnesses against
the pomps and vanities of this world/

" Such tradesmen who stand as witnesses in the
power of God, cannot fulfil the people s minds in
these vanities, and therefore they are offended at
them."

* Let all trust in the Lord, and wait patiently on
Him ; for when truth first broke forth in London,
many tradesmen could not take so much money in
their shops, for some time, as would buy them
bread and water, because they withstood the world s
ways, fashions, and customs ; yet, by their patient
waiting on the Lord in their good life and conver
sation, they answered the truth in people s hearts,
and thus their business increased." Book of Doc -
trinals, P- 824.

Now Christ, our holy Leader, graciously con-
tinueth to open the understandings of his people ;
and, as circumstances alter from age to age,, some
who are deeply baptized into a feeling of the state
of things, are led by his Holy Spirit, into exercises
in sbine respect different from those which attended

391

the faithful in foregoing ages, and, through the
constrainings of pure love, are engaged to open the
feelings they have to others.

In faithfully following Christ, the heart is weaned
from the desire of riches, and we are led into a
life so plain and simple, that a little doth suffice ;
and thus the way openeth to deny ourselves, under
all the tempting allurements of that gain, which we
know is the gain of unrighteousness.

The apostle, speaking on this subject, asketh
this question : " What fellowship hath righteous
ness with unrighteousness?" 2 Cor. vi. 14. And
again saith, (f Have no fellowship with the unfruit
ful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Ephes. v. 1 1 . Again, " Be not partaker of other
men s sins, keep thyself pure." 1 Tim. v. 22.

Where people, through the power of Christ, are
thoroughly settled in a right use of things, freed
from all unnecessary care and expense, the mind,
in this true resignation, is at liberty from the bands
of a narrow self-interest, to attend, from time to
time, on the movings of his Spirit upon us, though
he leads into that, through which our faith is
closely tried.

The language of Christ is pure, and to the pure
in heart, this pure language is intelligible ; but, in
the love of money, the mind being intent on gain,
is too full of human contrivance to attend to it.

It appeareth evident, that some channels of trade
are defiled with unrighteousness ; that the minds
of many are intent on getting treasures to sup-

392

port a life, in which there are many unnecessary
expenses.

And I feel a living concern attend my mind, that
under these difficulties we may humbly follow our
heavenly Shepherd,, who graciously regardeth his
flock, and is willing and able to supply us both in
wardly and outwardly with clean provender, that
hath been winnowed with the shovel and the fan,
where we may, " Sow to ourselves in righteous
ness, reap in mercy ;" Hosea x. 12.; and not be
defiled with the works of iniquity.

Where customs, contrary to pure wisdom, are
transmitted to posterity, it appears to be an injury
committed against them ; and I often feel tender
compassion toward a young generation, arid desires,
that their difficulties may not be increased through
unfaithfulness in us of the present age.

While friends were kept truly humble, and walked
according to the purity of our principles, the divine
witness in many hearts was reached ; but, when a
worldly spirit got entrance, therewith came in lux
uries and superfluities, and spread by little and
little, even amongst the foremost rank in society,
and from thence others took liberty in that way
more abundantly.

In the continuation of these things from parents
to children there were many wants to supply, even
wants unknown to friends, while they faithfully fol
lowed Christ. And, in striving to supply those
wants, many have exacted on the poor, many have
entered on employments, in which they often L bo ur

393

in upholding pride and vanity. Many have looked
on one another, being strengthened in these things,
one by the example of another ; and as to the pure
divine seeing, dimness hath come over many, and
the channels of true brotherly love been obstructed.

CHAP. III.

On a Sailor s Life.

IN the trade to Africa for slaves, and in the ma
nagement of ships going on these voyages, many of
our lads and young men have a considerable part of
their education*

Now, what pious father, beholding his son placed
in one of these ships, to learn the practice of a ma
riner, could forbear mourning over him ?

Where youth are exampled in means of getting
money, so full of violence, and used to exercise such
cruelties on their fellow-creatures, the disadvantage
to them, in their education, is very great.

But., I feel it in my mind to write concerning the
seafaring life in general.

In the trade carried on from the West Indies, and
from some parts of the continent, the produce of the
labour of slaves is a considerable part.

And sailors who are frequently at ports where
slaves abound, and converse often with people who
oppress them without the appearance of remorse,
and often with sailors employed in the slave trade/

394

how powerfully do these evil examples spread
amongst the seafaring youth !

I have had many opportunities to feel and under
stand the general state of the seafaring life amongst
us, and my mind hath often been sad on account of
so many lads and young men being trained up
amidst so great corruption.

Under the humbling power of Christ, I have seen,
that if the leadings of his holy spirit were faithfully
attended to, by his professed followers in general,
the heathen nations would be exampled in righteous
ness. A less number of people would be employed
on the seas. The channels of trade would be more
free from defilement. Fewer people would be em
ployed in vanities and superfluities.

The inhabitants of cities would be less in num
ber.

They who have much land would become fathers
to the poor.

More people would be employed in the sweet em
ployment of husbandry, and in the path of pure
wisdom, labour would be an agreeable, healthful
employment.

In the opening of these things in my mind, I feel
a living concern that we, who have felt divine love
in our hearts, may faithfully abide in it, and, like
good soldiers, endure hardness for Christ s sake.

He, our blessed Saviour, exhorting his followers
to love one another, adds, "As I have loved you."
John xiii. 34.

He loved Lazarus, yet in his sickness did not heal
him, but left him to endure the pains of death, that,

395

in restoring him to life, the people might be con
firmed in the true faith.

He loved his disciples, but sent them forth on a
message attended with great difficulty,, amongst
hard-hearted people, some of whom would think
that in killing them they did God service.

So deep is divine love, that in stedfastly abiding
in it, we are prepared to deny ourselves of all that
gain which is contrary to pure wisdom, and to fol
low Christ, even under contempt, and through suf
ferings.

CHAP IV.

On Silent Worship.

WORSHIP, in silence, hath often been refreshing
to my mind, and a care attends me that a young
generation may feel the nature of this worship.

Great expense ariseth in relation to that which is
called divine worship.

A considerable part of this expense is applied to
ward outward greatness, and many poor people in
raising of jithe, labour in supporting customs con
trary to the simplicity that is in Christ, toward whom
my rnind hath often been moved with pity.

In pure, silent worship, we dwell under the holy
anointing, and feel Christ to be our shepherd.

Here the best of teachers ministers to the several
conditions of his flock, and the soul receives, irrime-

396

diately from the divine fountain, that with which it
is nourished.

As I have travelled at times where those of other
societies have attended our meetings, and have per
ceived how little some of them knew of the nature
of silent worship ; I have felt tender desires in rny
heart that we, who often sit silent in our meetings,,
may live answerable to the nature of an inward fel
lowship with God, that no stumbling-block, through
us, may be laid in their way.

Such is the load of unnecessary expense which
lieth on that which is called divine service in many
places, and so much are the minds of many people
employed in outward forms and ceremonies, that
the opening of an inward, silent, worship in this
nation, to me, hath appeared to be a precious
opening.

Within the last four hundred years, many pious
people have been deeply exercised in soul on ac
count of the superstition which prevailed amongst
the professed followers of Christ, and in support of
their testimony against oppressive idolatry, some,
in several ages, have finished .their course in the
flames.

It appears by the history of the reformation, that,
through the faithfulness of the martyrs, the under
standings of many have been opened, and the minds
of people, from age to age, been more and more
prepared for a real spiritual worship .

My mind is often affected with a sense of the
condition of those people, who, in different ages, have
been meek and patient, following Christ through

397

great afflictions : and while I behold the several
steps of reformation, and that clearness, to which,
throu gh divine goodness, it hath been brought by
our ancestors ; I feel tender desires that we, who
sometimes meet in silence, may never by our con
duct lay stumbling-blocks in the way of others,
and hinder the progress of the reformation in the
world.

It was a complaint against some who were called
the Lord s people, that they brought polluted bread
to his altar, and said the table of the Lord was
contemptible.

In real silent worship, the soul feeds on that
which is divine ; but we cannot partake of the ta
ble of the Lord, and that table which is prepared by
the god of this world.

If Christ is our shepherd, and feedeth us, and we
are faithful in following Him, our lives will have an
inviting language, and the table of the Lord will
not be polluted.

AX

EPISTLE

TO THE

QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY MEETINGS
OF FRIENDS.

Beloved Friends,

FEELING at this time a renewed concern, that the
pure principle of light and life, and the righteous
fruits thereof, may spread and prevail amongst man
kind, there is an engagement on my heart to labour
with my brethren in religious profession, that none
of us may be a stumbling-block in the way of
others ; but may so walk, that our conduct may
reach the pure witness in the hearts of such who
are not in the profession with us.

And, dear friends, while we publicly own that the
Holy Spirit is our leader, the profession is in itself
weighty, and the weightiness thereof increaseth, in
proportion as we are noted among the professors of
truth ; and active in dealing with such who walk
disorderly.

Many, under our profession, for want of due atten
tion, and a perfect resignation to this Divine Teach-

399

er, have, in some things manifested a deviation from
the purity of our religious principles, and these de
viations having crept in amongst us, by little and
little, and increasing from less to greater, have been
so far unnoticed, that some living in them, have
been active in putting discipline in practice, with
relation to others, whose conduct hath appeared
more dishonourable in the world.

Now, as my mind hath been exercised before the
Lord, I have seen, that the discipline of the church
of Christ standeth in that which is pure ; that, it is
the wisdom from above which gives authority to
discipline ; and, that the weigh tiness thereof stand
eth not in any outward circumstances, but in the
authority of Christ who is the author of it ; and
where any walk after the flesh, and not according
to the purity of truth, and at the same time are
active in putting discipline in practice, a veil is gra
dually drawn over the purity of discipline, and over
that holiness of life, which Christ leads those into,
ff in whom the love of God is verily perfected/
1 John ii. 5

When we labour, in true love, with offenders, and
they remain obstinate, it sometimes is necessary to
proceed as far as our Lord directed, " Let him be
to thee as an heathen man, or a publican." Matt,
xviii. 17.

Now, when such are disowned, and they who act
therein feel Christ made unto them wisdom, and are
preserved in his meek, restoring, spirit; there is no
just cause of offence ministered to any ; but when
such, who are active in dealing with offenders in-

400

dulge themselves in things which are contrary to
the purity of truth, and yet judge others whose
conduct appears more dishonourable than theirs,
here the pure authority of discipline ceaseth, as to
such offenders, and a temptation is laid in their way
to wrangle and contend. fc Judge not/ said our
Lord, C( that ye be not judged." Now this forbid
ding, alludes to man s judgment, and points out the
necessity of our humblyattending to that sanctifying
power, under which the faithful experience the Lord
to be "a spirit of judgment to them/* Isaiah xxviii.
6. And, as we feel his Holy Spirit to mortify the
deeds of the body in us, and can say, cc it is no more
I that live, but Christ that liveth in me/ here right
judgment is known.

And, while divine love prevails in our hearts,
and self in us is brought under judgment, a prepa
ration is felt to labour in a right manner with of
fenders ; but if we abide not in this love, our out
ward performance, in dealing with others, degene
rates into formality ; for " this is the love of God,
that we keep his commandments." I John i. 3.

How weighty are those instructions of our Re
deemer, concerning religious duties, when he points
out, that they who pray, should be so obedient to
the teachings of the Holy Spirit, that humbly con
fiding in his help, they may say, cc Thy name, O
Father be hallowed ! Thy kingdom come ; thy will
be done on earth, as it is in heaven." In (his aw
ful state of mind is felt that worship which stands
in doing the will of God, on earth, as it is done in
heaven, and keeping the holy ^Name sacred. To

401

take a holy profession upon us is awful, nor can we
keep this holy Name sacred, but by humbly abiding
under the cross of Christ. The apostle made a heavy
complaint against some who profaned this holy
Name by their manner of living ; cf through you/
he says, " the name of God is blasphemed amongst
the Gentiles/ Rom. ii. 24.

Some of our ancestors through many tribulations,
were gathered into the state of true worshippers,
and had fellowship in that which is pure ; and, as
one was inwardly moved to kneel down in their as
semblies, and publicly call on the name of the Lord,
those, in the harmony of united exercise then pre
sent, joined in the prayer ; I mention this, in order
that we of the present age, may look unto the Rock
from whence we were hewn, and remember, that to
unite in worship, is a union in prayer, and that
prayer, acceptable to the Father, is only in a mind
truly sanctified, where the sacred name is kept holy,
find the heart resigned, to do his will on earth, as it
is done in heaven. " If ye abide in me/ saith Christ,
<<r and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will in my name, and it shall be done unto you,"
Now, we know not what to pray for as we ought,
but as the Holy Spirit doth open and direct our
minds, and as we faithfully yield to its influences,
our prayers are in the will of our heavenly Father,
who fails not to grant that which his own spirit,
through his children, asketh ; thus, preservation
from sin is known, and the fruits of righteousness
are brought forth by such as inwardly unite in
prayer.

Zc

402

How weighty are our solemn meetings when the
name of Christ is kept holy !

<c How precious is that state in which the children
of the Lord are so redeemed from the love of this
world,, that they are accepted and blessed in all that
they do." R. Barclay s Apology, p. 404.

How necessary is it that we who profess these
principles, and are outwardly active in supporting
them, should faithfully abide in divine strength, that
as He who hath called us is holy, so we may be
holy in all manner of conversation. I Pet. i. 15.

If one, professing to be influenced by the spirit of
Christ, proposeth to unite in a labour to promote
righteousness in the earth, and, in time past, he
hath manifestly deviated from the path of equity,
then to act consistently with this principle, his first
work is to make restitution so far as he may be
enabled ; for if he attempts to contribute toward a
work, intended to promote righteousness, while t it
appears that he neglecteth, or refuseth to act righh-
eously himself, his conduct has a tendency to en
tangle the minds of those who are weak in the
faith, who behold these things, and to draw a veil
over the purity of righteousness, by carrying an
appearance,, as though that was righteousness^which
is not.

Again, if I propose to assist in supporting those
doctrines wherein that purity of life is held forth, in
which customs, proceeding from the spirit of this
world, have no place ; and at the same time, strength
en others in those customs, by my example ; the
first step then, in an orderly proceeding, is to cease

403

from those customs myself, and afterwards to labour,
as I may be enabled, to promote the like disposi
tion and conduct in others.

To be convinced of the pure principle of truth,
and diligently exercised in walking answerable
thereto, is necessary, before I can consistently re
commend this principle to others. I often feel a
labour in spirit, that we who are active members in
religious society may experience, in ourselves, the
truth of those expressions of the Holy One " I will
be sanctified in them that come nigh me." Lev. x.
3. In this case, my mind hath been often exercised
when alone, year after year, for many years, and in
the renewings of divine love, a tender care hath
been incited in me, that we who profess the inward
principle of light to be our teacher, may be a family
united in that purity of worship, which compre
hends a holy life, and ministers instruction to others.

My mind is often drawn towards children in
the truth, who having a small share of the things
of this life, and coming to have families, may be
inwardly exercised before the Lord to support them,
in a way agreeable to the purity of truth, in which
they may feel his blessing upon them in their la
bours ; the thoughts of such being entangled with
customs, contrary to pure wisdom, conveyed to
them through our hands, doth often very tenderly
and movingly affect my heart, and, when I look to
wards and think on the succeeding generation, fer
vent desires are raised in me, that we, by yielding
to that Holy Spirit which leads into all truth, may
not do the work of the Lord deceitfully, may not

404

live contrary to the purity of the divine principle
we profess; but that, as faithful labourers in our
age, we may be instrumental in removing stum
bling blocks out of the way of those who may suc
ceed us.

So great was the love of Christ, that he gave
himself for the church, that he might sanctify and
cleanse it, that it should be holy, and without
blemish, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such
thing/ Eph. v. 25. And, where any take the
name of Christ upon them, professing to be mem
bers of his church, and led by his Holy Spirit, and
yet manifestly deviate from the purity of truth, they
herein act against the gracious design of his giving
himself for them, and minister cause for the conti
nuance of his afflictions, viz. in his body, the church.

Christ suffered afflictions in a body of flesh pre
pared by the Father, but the afflictions of his mys
tical body are yet unfinished ; for they who are
baptized into Christ are baptized into his death.
And, as we humbly abide under his sanctifying power,
and are brought forth into newness of life, we feel
Christ to live in us, who being the same yesterday,
to-day, and for ever, and always at unity with him
self, his spirit, in the hearts of his people, leads to
an inward exercise for the salvation of mankind :
and when, under a travail of spirit, we behold a
visited people, entangled by the spirit of this world
with its wickedness and customs, and thereby ren
dered incapable of being faithful examples to others,
sorrow and heaviness, under a sense of these things,
is often experienced ; and thus, in some measure,

405

is filled up that which remains of the afflictions of
Christ.

Our blessed Saviour, speaking 1 concerning gifts
offered in divine service,, says, f{ If thou bring thy
gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy
brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift
before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled
to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
Matt. v. 23, 24. Now, there is no true unity, but
in that wherein the Father and the Son are united ;
nor can there be a perfect reconciliation but in
ceasing from that which ministers cause for the con
tinuation of the afflictions of Christ ; and if any,
professing to bring their gift to the altar, do remem
ber the customary contradiction which some of their
fruits bear to the pure, spiritual, worship, here it ap
pears necessary to lay to heart this command, <e leave
thy gift before the altar/

Christ graciously calls his people brethren ; ^who
soever shall do the will of God, the same is my
brother/ Mark iii. *$5. Now, if we walk contrary
to the truth as it is in Jesus, while we continue to
profess it, we offend against Christ ; and if, under
this offence, we bring our gift, to the altar, our Re
deemer doth not direct us to take back our gift, he
doth not discourage our proceeding in a good work ;
but graciously points out the necessary means by
which the gift may be rendered acceptable, " leave,"
saith he, " thy gift before the altar and go thy way,
first be reconciled to thy brother :" cease from that
which grieves the Holy Spirit, cease from that which

4()6

is against the truth, as it is in Jesus, and then come,
and offer thy gift.

I feel, while I am writing, a tenderness to those
who, through divine favour, are preserved in a
lively sense of the state of the churches, and, at
times, may be under discouragements with regard
to proceeding in that pure way which Christ by his
Holy Spirit leads into. The depth of disorder and
weakness, which so much prevails, being opened,
doublings are apt to arise, as to the possibility of
proceeding as an assembly of the Lord s people, in
the pure counsel of truth ; and here I feel a con
cern to express, in uprightness, that which hath
been opened in my mind, under the power of the
cross of Christ, relating to a visible gathered
church, the members whereof are guided by the
Holy Spirit,

The Church is called the body of Christ, Col.
i. g*

Christ is called the head of the church, Eph.
i. 22.

The church is called the pillar and ground of the
truth, 1 Tim. iii. 15.

Thus, the church hath a name that is sacred, and
the necessity of keeping this name holy, appears
evident ; for where a number of people unite in a
profession of being led by the spirit of Christ, and
publish their principles to the world, the acts and
proceedings of that people may, in some measure,
be considered as such which Christ is the author of.

Now, while we stand in this station, if the pure
light of life is not followed and regarded in our pro-

40?

ceedings, we are in the way of profaning the holy
Name, arid of going back toward that wilder
ness of sufferings and persecution,, out of which,
through the tender mercies of God, a church hath
been gathered. Christ liveth in sanctified vessels,
Gal. ii. 20. and where they behold his holy Name
profaned, and the pure gospel light eclipsed,
through the unfaithfulness of any who, by their sta
tion, appear to be standard-bearers, under the
Prince of Peace, the living members in the body of
Christ, in beholding these things, do, in some de
gree, experience the fellowship of his sufferings;
and, as the wisdom of the world more and more
takes place in conducting the affairs of this visible
gathered church, and the pure leadings of the Holy
Spirit are less waited for and followed, so, the true
suffering seed is more and more oppressed.

My mind is often affected with a sense of the
condition of sincere-hearted people in some king
doms where liberty of conscience is not allowed,
many of whom being burthened in their minds with
prevailing superstition, joined with oppressions,
are often under sorrow ; and where such have
attended to that pure light which hath in some
degree opened their understandings, and, for their
faithfulness thereto, have been brought to examina
tion and trial, how heavy are the persecutions
which, in di\ 7 ers parts of the world are exercised
upon them ! How mighty, as to the outward, is
that power, by which they are borne down and
oppressed !

How deeply affecting is the condition of many

408

upright-hearted people who are taken into the
papal inquisition ! What lamentable cruelties, in
deep vaults, in a private way, are exercised pn
many of them ! and how lingering is that death, by
a small slow fire, which they have frequently eu~
dured, who have been faithful to the end !

How many tender-spirited Protestants have been
sentenced to spend the remainder of their lives in a
galley chained to oars, under hard-hearted masters,
while their young children are placed out for edu
cation, and taught principles so contrary to the
consciences of the parents, that, by dissenting from
them, they have hazarded their liberty, lives, and
all that was dear to them of the things of this
world !

There have been, in time past, severe persecu
tions, under the English government, and many
sincere-hearted people have suffered death for the
testimony of a good conscience, whose faithfulness,
in their day, hath ministered encouragements to
others, and been a blessing to many who have suc
ceeded them. Thus, from age to age, the darkness
being more and more removed, a channel, at length,
through the tender mercies of God, hath been
opened for the exercise of the pure gift of the gos
pel ministry, without interruption from outward
power, a work, the like of which is rare, and un
known in many parts of the world.

As these things are often fresh in my mind, and
this great work of God, going on in the earth, has
been open before me, that liberty of conscience with
which we are favoured, hath appeared not as a
light matter.

409

A trust is committed to us, a great and weighty
trust, to which our diligent attention is necessary.
Wherever the active members of this visible gathered
church use themselves to that which is contrary to
the purity of our principles, it appears to be a
breach of this tcust, and one step back toward the
wilderness, one step towards undoing what God, in
infinite love,, hath done, through his faithful ser
vants, in a work of several ages, and is like laying
the foundation for future sufferings.

I feel a living invitation in my mind to such who
are active in our religious society, that we may lay
to heart this matter, and consider the station in
which we stand ; a place of outward liberty, under
the free exercise of our conscience, towards God,
not obtained, but through great and manifold afflic
tions of those who lived before us. There is grati
tude due from us to our heavenly Father, and
justice to our posterity. Can our hearts endure, or
our hands be strong, if we desert a cause so pre
cious, if we turn aside from a work, under which so
many have patiently laboured ?

May the deep sufferings of our Saviour be so
dear to us, that we may never trample under foot
the adorable Son of God, nor count the blood of
the covenant unholy !

May the faithfulness of the martyrs, when the
prospect of death by fire was before them, be re
membered ! and may the patient constant sufferings
of the upright-hearted servants of God, in later
ages, be revived in our minds ! and may we so
follow on to know the Lord, that neither the faithful

410

in this age, nor those in ages to come, may ever be
brought under suffering, through our sliding baek
from the work of reformation in the world !

While the active members in the visible gathered
church stand upright, and the affairs thereof are
carried on, under the leadings of the Holy Spirit,
although disorders may arise among us, and cause
many exercises to those who feel the care of the
churches upon them ; yet, while these continue
under the weight of the work, and labour, in the
meekness of wisdom, for the help of others, the
name of Christ, in the visible gathered church, may
be kept sacred ; but, while they who are active in
the affairs of this church continue in a manifest
opposition to the purity of our principles, this, as
the prophet Isaiah, x. 18, expresseth it, is like " as
when a standard-bearer fainteth :" and thus the
way opens to great and prevailing degeneracy, and
to sufferings for such, who, through the power of
divine love, are separated to the gospel of Christ,
and cannot unite with any thing which stands in
opposition to the purity of it.

The necessity of an inward stillness hath, under
these exercises, appeared clear to my mind. In true
silence strength is renewed, the mind herein is
weaned from all things, but as they may be enjoyed
in the divine will ; and a lowliness in outward living,
opposite to worldly honour, becomes truly accept
able to us. In the desire after outward gain, the
mind is prevented from a perfect attention to the
voice of Christ ; but, being weaned from all things,
but as they may be enjoyed in the divine will, the

411

pure light shines into the soul : and, where the
fruits of that spirit which is of this world, are
brought forth by many who profess to be led by
the spirit of truth, and cloudiness is felt to be ga
thering over the visible gathered church,, the sincere
in heart, who abide in true stillness, and are exer
cised therein before the Lord for his name s sake,
have knowledge of Christ in the fellowship of his
sufferings; and inward thankfulness is felt, at times,
that through divine love, our own wisdom is cast
out, and that forward active part in us subjected,
which would rise and do something in the visible
gathered church, without the pure leadings of the
Spirit of Christ.

While aught remain in us different from a per
fect resignation of our wills, it is like a seal to a
book, wherein is written " that good and accept
able and perfect will of God" concerning us. Rom.
xii. 2. But, when our minds entirely yield to
Christ, that silence is known, which followeth the
opening of the last of the seals, Rev. viii. 1. In this
silence, we learn abiding in the divine will, and
there feel, that we have no cause to promote but
that only in which the light of life directs us in our
proceedings ; and that the alone way to be useful
in the church of Christ, is to abide faithfully under
the leadings of his Holy Spirit, in all cases, and,
being preserved thereby in purity of heart and holi
ness of conversation, a testimony to the purity of
his government may be held forth through us, to
others.

As my mind hath been thus exercised, I have

412

seen, that to be active and busy in the visible ga
thered church, without the leadings of the Holy
Spirit, is not only unprofitable, but tends to increase
dimness ; and, where way is not opened to proceed
in the light of truth, a stop is felt by those who
humby attend to the Divine Leader, a stop which,
in relation to good order in the visible gathered
church, is of the greatest consequence to be ob
served ; thus, Robert Barclay, in his treatise on
discipline, holds forth (page 65, 68, 84.; : " That
the judgment or conclusion of the church or con
gregation is no further effectual, as to the true end
and design thereof, but as such judgment or con
clusion proceeds from the Spirit of God, operating
on their minds who are sanctified in Christ Jesus."

Now, in this stop, I have learned the necessity of
waiting on the Lord in humility, that the works of
all may be brought to light, arid those to judgment
which are wrought in the wisdom of this world ;
and have also seen, that, in a mind thoroughly sub
jected to the power of the cross, there is a savour of
life to be felt, which evidently tends to gather souls
to God, while the greatest works in the visible
gathered church, brought forth in man s wisdom,
remain to be unprofitable.

Where people are divinely gathered into a holy
fellowship, and faithfully abide under the influence
of that Spirit which leads into all truth, " they are
the light of the world." Matt. v. 14. Now, holding
this profession, to rne hath appeared weighty, even
beyond what I can fully express, and what our
blessed Lord seemed to have in view, when he pro-

413

posed the necessity of counting the cost before we
begin to build.

I trust there are many who, at times, under divine
visitation,, feel an inward inquiry after God ; and,
when such, in the simplicity of their hearts, mark
the lives of a people who profess to walk by the
leadings of his Spirit, of what great concernment is
it that our lights shine clear, that nothing of our
conduct carry a contradiction to the truth as it is in
Jesus, or be a means of profaning his holy Name,
and be a stumbling block in the way of those sin
cere inquirers.

When such seekers, who, wearied with empty
forms, look towards uniting with us as a people, and
behold active members among us depart, in their
customary way of living, from that purity of life,
which, under humbling exercises, hath been opened
before them, as the way of the Lord s people, how
mournful and discouraging is the prospect! and how
strongly doth such unfaithfulness operate against
the spreading of the peaceable, harmonious princi
ple and testimony of truth amongst mankind !

In entering into that life which is hid with Christ
in God, we behold his peaceable government, where
the whole family are governed by the same spirit^
and the fc doing to others as we would they should
do unto us/ groweth up, as good fruit from a good
tree. The peace, quietness, and harmonious walk
ing in this government is beheld with humble
reverence to him who is the author of it ; and in
partaking of the Spirit of Christ, we partake of that
which labours and suffers for the increase of this
peaceable government, among the inhabitants of the

414

world. And I have felt a labour of long continu
ance, that we who profess this peaceable principle,
may be faithful standard-bearers,, under the Prince
of Peace ; and that nothing of a defiling nature.,
tending to discord and wars, may remain among us.

May each of us query with ourselves,, have the
treasures I possess, been gathered in that wisdom
which is from above, so far as hath appeared to me?

Have none of my fellow-creatures an equitable
right to any part which is called mine ?

Have the gifts and possessions received by me
from others, been conveyed in a way free from all
unrighteousness, so far as I have seen ?

The principle of peace, in which our trust is only
on the Lord, and our minds weaned from a depend
ence on the strength of armies, hath appeared to
me very precious ; and I often feel strong desires,
that we who profess this principle, may so walk, as
to give just cause for none of our fellow-creatures
to be offended at us ; that our lives may evidently
manifest, that we are redeemed from that spirit in
which wars are. Our blessed Saviour, in pointing
out the dander of so leaning on man as to neglect
the leadings of his Holy Spirit, said, Cf Call no man
your father upon the earth ; for one is your Father
which is in heaven/ Matt, xxiii. 9. Where the wis
dom from above is faithfully followed, and therein we
are intrusted with substance, it is a treasure com
mitted to our care, in the nature of an inheritance,
as an inheritance from Him who formed and sup
ports the world. Now, in this condition, the true
enjoyment of the good things of this life is under
stood, and that blessing felt, in which is real safety.

415

This is what I apprehend our blessed Lord had in
view,, when he pronounced, f{ Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth."

Selfish worldly-minded men may hold lands in the
selfish spirit; and, depending on the strength of the
outward power, be perplexed with secret uneasi
ness, lest the injured should sometime overpower
them, and that measure be meted to them which they
measure to others. Thus, selfish men may possess
the earth ; but it is the meek who inherit it, and
enjoy it, as an inheritance from the heavenly Father,
free from all the defilements and perplexities of
unrighteousness.

Where proceedings have been in that wisdom
which is from beneath, and inequitable gain ga
thered by a man, and left as a gift to his children,
who, being entangled by the same worldly spirit,
have not attained to that clearness of light, in which
the channels of righteousness are opened, and jus
tice done to those who remain silent under injuries :
Here I have seen, under humbling exercise of mind,
that the sins of the fathers are embraced by the
children, and become their sins, and thus, in the days
of tribulation, the iniquities of the fathers are visited
upon these children, who take hold of the unrighte
ousness of their fathers, and live in that spirit in
which those iniquities were committed, to which
agreeth the prophecy of Moses, concerning a re
bellious people. ce They that are left of you shall
pine away in their iniquity, in your enemies lands,
and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they
pine away with them/ Lev. xxvi. 39. And our
blessed Lord^ in beholding the hardness of heart

416

in that generation, and feeling in himself, that they
lived in the same spirit in which the prophets had
been persecuted unto death, signified, fc that the
blood of all the prophets which was shed from the
foundation of the world, should be required of that
generation, from the blood of Abel, unto the blood
of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and
the temple/ Luke xi. 51.

Tender compassion fills my heart toward my
fellow-creatures, estranged from the harmonious
government of the Prince of Peace, and a labour
attends me, that they may be gathered to this peace
able habitation.

In being inwardly prepared to suffer adversity for
Christ s sake, and weaned from a dependence on the
arm of flesh, we feel, that there is a rest for the peo
ple of God, and that it stands in a perfect resignation
of ourselves to his holy will. In this condition, all
our wants and desires are bounded by pure wisdom,
and our minds wholly attentive to the council of
Christ, inwardly communicated, which hath ap
peared to me as a habitation of safety for the Lord s
people, in times of outward commotion and trouble;
and desires, from the fountain of pure love, are
opened in me, to invite my brethren and fellow-
creatures to feel for, and seek after that which ga
thers the mind into it.

JOHN WOOLMAN.

Mount Holly, New Jersey,
4th Mouth, 1772.

FINIS.

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